Women are more likely to use implants, injections, pills and intrauterine devices. [Courtesy]
For many Kenyan women, deciding to prevent or delay another pregnancy does not end with a conversation with their partner. It can mean visiting a clinic alone, choosing a contraceptive, dealing with side effects and, sometimes, defending that decision at home.
For Janet Nasambu, 32, family planning has meant carrying a responsibility she believes should be shared with her husband.
A mother of three, Janet wanted to delay another pregnancy after the birth of her youngest child. Her children were still young, household expenses were rising and she felt the family needed time before taking on the demands of another baby.
Her husband agreed with the decision, but beyond that, Janet said, he largely left the matter to her.
“I told him I did not want another pregnancy soon, and he agreed. But after that, everything was left to me. I was the one who went to the hospital, chose the method and dealt with whatever happened,” Janet said.
After consulting a health worker, she chose an injectable contraceptive. She later experienced headaches and changes in her menstrual cycle, leaving her to manage the discomfort while still thinking about the possibility of an unintended pregnancy.