BY KALOBWE BWALYA
THE World Vasectomy Day has launched a campaign dubbed “act of love” in which it is targeting to reach out to 2,500 men in order to raise awareness on their involvement in vasectomy as one of family planning methods.
The campaign which is been conducted in partnership with the Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development and Marie Stopes Zambia also aims at having 25 men undergoing Vasectomy procedure by March 11.
Speaking during a joint media briefing held in Lusaka by the three organizations, World Vasecto-my Day Programs Manager Africa, Sheila Gabeya explained that the campaign would help address myths and misconceptions on the subject which had been discouraging men to access vasectomy as an ideal family planning methods.
Ms Gabeya said the organisations were working to amplify the voices of men using international commemorations such as World Aida Day, International Human Rights Day and the forthcoming International women’s day among others.
Ms Gabeya said the campaign is targeting men who feel that their families are complete and look-ing for a permanent family planning method.
She added that the campaign will create awareness and also help address myths and misconcep-tions which has been discouraging men to access vasectomy family planning.
The training will train 30 community educators from Zambia national men’s network chapters in Chaisa, Mtendere, Chongwe, Kabwe and other surrounding areas will be trained in the vasectomy information dissemination.
“The campaign will run from February 14 to March 11, 2023 will bring men on board inn creating awareness and education of vasectomy as one of the permanent family planning methods , there-fore men needs to be given right education and information that vasectomy is safe and that it pro-motes mutuality between men and women,” Ms Gabeya said.
Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development National Coordinator Nelson Ban-da has encouraged couples to have an open discussion before a man decides to undergo Vasectomy to avoid fueling gender based violence.
Mr Banda explained that the method is largely under-utilized because of some unfounded myths such as the procedure leads to importance or changed sexual function.
Meanwhile Marie Stopes Zambia Programs Director, James Mdala disclosed that their target is to see increased numbers of medical personnel providing Vasectomy services both at private and government facilities.
