This is an interview with Ola Taiwo, as she shares her views on how infertility is seen as a Woman’s Burden and reasons for the blame culture.
In many Nigerian homes, when a couple struggles to conceive, all eyes instinctively turn to the woman. The whispers begin. The prayers intensify. The advice—solicited or not—flows like a river.
And more often than not, the woman is made to carry the full weight of society’s expectations and judgments. But here’s the truth: infertility is not just a woman’s issue. And the longer we cling to this outdated belief, the more harm we do—not just to women, but to couples, families, and our collective understanding of reproductive health.
The Facts We Choose to Ignore
Globally, infertility affects both men and women almost equally. Studies show that male factor infertility contributes to approximately 30–50 per cent of all infertility cases. That means in nearly half of all situations, the man has a condition that may be preventing conception—yet in many Nigerian households, that possibility is rarely discussed, let alone investigated.
It’s not uncommon for a woman to undergo countless tests, traditional remedies, invasive procedures, and emotional trauma while her partner is never asked to get a simple semen analysis.
That’s not just unfair — it’s medically irresponsible
Blame Culture Has Real Consequences
Our cultural lens often views fertility as a woman’s responsibility. The result? Women are blamed, shamed, sometimes even abandoned. Some are subjected to cruel treatment from in-laws. Others are forced to watch their partners marry second or third wives. The emotional toll can be devastating.
Meanwhile, men who are struggling often suffer in silence. Many feel ashamed or emasculated by the idea of being “the problem.”
This stigma discourages men from seeking medical help and delays diagnoses that could lead to solutions.
It’s Time for a Shared Approach
We need to shift from blame to shared responsibility. Fertility is a couple’s journey—not a solo burden.
That means:- Encouraging both partners to get tested early in the process.- Promoting open, stigma-free conversations about infertility.
Including men in fertility education, support systems, and decision-making.- Challenging religious and cultural narratives that place all the pressure on women.Infertility is a medical condition, not a punishment. And no one—man or woman—should have to face it in silence or shame.
Space for Hope and Healing
As we observe Fertility Awareness Month this June, I invite readers to tune into the Fertility Conversations podcast—a platform I created to break the silence surrounding infertility. The podcast features honest conversations with fertility experts and powerful testimonies from men and women across the globe who have walked this path and are now offering hope to others.From IVF and male factor infertility to surrogacy, adoption, and emotional healing, Fertility Conversations is a space for education, encouragement, and community.
Let’s Rethink the Blame Culture
Let this be the year we stop asking “What’s wrong with her?” and start asking “How can we support them?”Let this be the year we replace shame with science, silence with support, and blame with understanding.
Because when we remove the blame, we make room for healing.
Source: Vanguard Media Limited
