In Africa, having a family has always been considered the cornerstone of society. The union of a man and a woman and the subsequent birth of children has been celebrated as a means of perpetuating the family lineage and ensuring future prosperity.
On the other hand, being childless carried some stigma and anxiety, and was sometimes even associated with being bewitched. In Africa, a childless couple was never considered complete, as the wider community had a stake in the union. Phrases such as ‘it takes a whole village to raise a child’ justified the importance of having children. Having children seemed to be the ultimate validation of a relationship. But is it?