Kenyans Embrace Child-Free Choices: The Rise of Tubal Ligation

In a significant shift, many young Kenyan women are choosing sterilisation over traditional motherhood, showcasing a new wave of empowerment and control over their own reproductive choices.

In a bold departure from societal expectations, Nelly Naisula Sironka, a 28-year-old Kenyan, has taken unprecedented steps to secure her future by opting for a tubal ligation, a permanent sterilisation procedure. Sironka's decision to forgo motherhood has been both liberating and comforting, allowing her to explore her ambitions without the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles.

Sironka, an organisational development expert, took this irreversible step last October after years of contemplation, stating, "I feel liberated." The tubal ligation procedure blocks a woman's fallopian tubes, preventing pregnancy, and it's growing in popularity in Kenya. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 16,000 women underwent the procedure, but data on how many were childless at the time remains scarce.

Dr. Nelly Bosire, a Nairobi-based gynaecologist, notes a significant change in the types of women pursuing sterilisation. "Traditionally, the most common candidates were women with multiple children," she observes, highlighting a shift towards childless women opting for tubal ligation. However, the procedure is generally advised for women who are certain they do not wish to have biological children in the future, as reversal is complex and often unsuccessful.

Sironka feels empowered by her decision, a sentiment echoed by many women in Kenya who are now more vocal about rejecting traditional motherhood. Muthoni Gitau, a prominent Kenyan YouTuber and podcaster, also shared her journey towards becoming child-free through a candid video in which she discusses her long-standing desire to forgo motherhood. "I just never saw children," Gitau stated, recalling how she envisioned her life filled with travel and adventure instead.

Similar to Sironka, Gitau had faced barriers in her quest for sterilisation. Initially, a doctor dismissed her wishes, emphasizing societal norms that equate motherhood with fulfillment. Nevertheless, she persisted and eventually found a supportive medical professional who understood her choice.

The surge in discussions around tubal ligation on social media platforms indicates a growing movement of women in Kenya embracing their reproductive rights and personal choices. Dr. Bosire emphasizes the need for medical professionals to adapt their mindsets to recognize women's autonomy in making health decisions.

This evolving narrative reflects a larger global trend around women's rights and reproductive freedoms, where many are reclaiming their bodies from restrictive societal frameworks. As more voices join the conversation, the choices of women like Sironka and Gitau continue to challenge the expectations tied to womanhood in Kenya, paving the way for future generations to live authentically and unapologetically.