Is it true Tanzania is in need of more people? Is it true the country wants to increase population? If statement of President John Magufuli is considered, it is definitely true. In a public rally he was heard saying to women crowd not to use birth control pills as they need more people.
The president said in the presence of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative for the country Jacqueline Mahon, “Women can now give up contraceptive methods.” He said the country needs more people while the government is investing in maternal health by opening more hospitals across Tanzania.
Magufuli added those couple who uses contraceptives are lazy people and fears would not be able to feed the children.
He claimed those who use the methods to stop having more children are foreign and had sinister motives.
The father of two highlighted the effects of birth control in some of the European countries where the government is struggling with a declining population and shortage of labor force.
However, a 2015 World Bank report reveals 70 percent of the country’s 53 million population lives on less than $2 a day.
Magufuli said, “You have cattle. You are big farmers. You can feed your children. Why then resort to birth control? This is my opinion, I see no reason to control births in Tanzania.”
Meanwhile, his statement is being criticized by opposition saying what he said is against Tanzania’s health policy. For his hardline policies and tough stance against corruption Magufuli is nicknamed as ‘The Bulldozer’ in the country.
