TO
KAYORO
Bringing Reproductive Health to a Village in Ghana
MARGARET CATLEY-CARLSON
POPULATION COUNCIL
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FROM TO KAYORO Bringing Reproductive Health to a Village in Ghana
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| Village conclaves
about health issues. The Navrongo team addressed these concerns by working with the chief and elders to educate men about the benefits of family planning and to encourage their participation in the program. Several other steps have been taken to bring the men of Kayoro into the picture: durbars, or traditional village conclaves, were organized around child survival and family planning health messages. People were encouraged to speak out and express their concerns. They did and they still do. Support began to grow from the top of the village hierarchy on down, and eventually some families began to accept the concept of family planning. The team also sought out women’s voices. This alone represents an enormous change in terms of women’s roles and their ability to be heard.
Something a little more unconventional has also been done. The deceased ancestors have been brought into the picture and were asked their views on family planning via the soothsayers. To the surprise of the project staff, the elders have reacted with openness and readiness to consider this a promising development for the health and well-being of the village as a whole. Although only 4 percent of Kayoro women were using a contraceptive method at the beginning of the integrated program, many women were very interested in family planning; 30 percent thought they might adopt a contraceptive method "soon," mostly to space births but also to limit family size. However, they indicated in focus group discussions that they did not feel their own views on family size were germane, children being a community good and wives a purchased property. Male opinions and preferences dominate reproductive decisionmaking, although research also shows that there is little discussion or dialogue about family planning. Secrecy about family planning and lack of discussion are the norm in this society.
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