PHOTO: Joseph Ndorleh (Left) and Ngambo Salay (Right)
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The Merck Foundation and Merck More Than a Mother and Father Campaign has identified stigmatized male and female infertile residents in Old Town, Kolba City, Kolahun District, Lofa County, after awareness was launched on a local radio station in the area.
As part of this Campaign, a 36- year- old man identified as Joseph Ndorleh was discovered to be infertile; showcasing that infertility is not only attributed to women who cannot reproduce due to barrenness. Ndorleh has been identified as a male who has not impregnated any woman since he reached maturity.
According to him, he has been childless since he got a partner in 2000 up to present. He said constant efforts have been exerted by him to go to traditional zoes, churches and mosques, including hospitals to seek solutions to his infertility, but his wife had to call off the relationship because he cannot get the situation resolved.
“My inability to have my own child has led my younger brother to always insult me for his children whenever I send his children to work for me,” he tearfully narrated.
Ndorleh continued: “I’m just confused in my life because I have been described as a wicked person and someone that cannot function but I can function; the only problem is I don’t have a child.”
He revealed that since his wife left him up to present, he has been with his mother finding livelihood.
Since he knew himself living in Old Town Community in Kolba City in Kolahun, up to present, Ndorleh further noted that he has seen no peace, because his brother has warned his children never to do any work for him. “I am a farmer and still remains single,” he added.
However, Ndorleh is not the only person with this stigmatization. Madam Ngambo Salay of Kolahun is another individual facing this situation. She explained that she is childless due to the same condition, while community members continue to make mockery of her.
Madam Salay, in a frustrating mood, disclosed that because of her situation community members described her to be ‘witchcraft.’
Like Mr. Ndorleh, Salay was in tears wondering whether she would ever find someone’s child to work for her because, according to her, she can be mocked at by parents whose children work for her as parents refer to her as a wicked woman, constantly threatening her never to ask their children claiming that her ‘womb has cement.’
“My husband left me because I don’t bear a child and I am currently alone, no husband, no child, only my family can encourage me sometimes,” the 38- year- old woman lamented.
Meanwhile, Salay said because of this embarrassment currently facing her, she had to leave her home town Mbalahun to go to Kolba City with the conviction that in the city, everyone minds his or her own business.
According to her, she normally cries whenever she sees others’ children graduating from high school.
Perceived Factors
Infertility’s stigma should be blamed on female genital mutilation and other traditional and cultural practices, according to Gbapolu County Rural Women President, Bendu Jah.
Madam Jah, on July 16, 2022 made the assertion during an engagement with a cross-section of citizens as part of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Father Campaign in the county.
Bendu Jah.
According to her, female genital mutilation is one of the strongest factors affecting the fight against infertility stigma because women, who are faced with this issue, were forcibly initiated into female genital mutilation when they were teenagers.
In order to eliminate this stigma of infertility, Madam Jah called on donor partners and the Liberian Government to fund or financially empower rural women groups to have elaborate campaign messages on this issue across the country.
In the absence of funding, she noted that it remains very difficult to create awareness on the issue; especially in rural communities, or hard to reach places in Liberia.
She further said that such awareness should include the active involvement of traditional leaders as well as zoes, emphasizing that the campaign should be taught in schools from elementary to senior high level where students will be knowledgeable.
Madam Jah is convinced that when this exercise is carried out, it will help eliminate the stigma of infertility.
The Rural Women President of Gbapolu County also called on stakeholders in Liberia to concertedly support the fight against infertility stigma by amplifying the message that infertility is not a disease that anyone in society can be discriminated for.
This report is corroborated with the public awareness of Merck Foundation More than a Mother and Father Campaign against the perception being developed over time about infertility in society.