Contraceptives are drugs or a device used to prevent pregnancy.
During ancient times, there were methods of birth control. As time went by, these methods evolved into more effective means of preventing pregnancy. Contraception is important because while some methods may prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections such HIV, some reduce the need for abortions.
Many families have lost a loved one due to unsafe and illegal arbortions. Electricity poles all over the streets of South Safrica are bombarded with posters with posters from bogus doctors. These doctors claim to perform safe and painless abortion procedures.
In 2018, the supply for birth control seemed to have dried up. The problem still persists in 2019. Several women have been forced to either skip a month, wait longer than usual periods of time or go to private doctors and clinics for their monthly dose of birth control.
All different types of birth control methods are free at government clinics and hospitals while private practices charge between $35 and $150, depending on the type of contraceptive preferred.
The different types of contraception currently available in South Africa are:
- Long-acting reversible contraception
The implant (3-5 years)
Intra Uterine Device/System (5-10 years)
- Hormonal contraception
The pill
Depo Provera Injection
- Barrier methods
Condoms
- Emergency contraception
Condoms
Vasectomy
Tubal ligation
- Permanent contraception
Vasectomy
Tubal ligation
These methods all come with different side-effects which different from one individual to another. Birth controls are necessary. Anything that helps prevent unwanted and teenage pregnancy is important to our communities. Many girls have had to quit schooling order to raise kids that came through unwanted or unplanned pregnancy.
According to an article published by news24 in 2018 based on a report by statistics South Africa, girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years old account for 11% of births worldwide.
Lindelo Dludlu, from Soshanguve is one of the many women who have had to “make a plan” to get contraceptives. “I’m sexually active, I can’t afford to have a baby and I don’t trust condoms so when they turned me back about three times at the clinic I had to make a plan. I went to a private clinic and paid to get the implant.” She said.
Palesa Rakoti also faced the same trauma “I think they just don’t want to tell us that they can’t provide free birth control anymore. I have even stopped going to the clinics. I just know I must pay for my monthly pills.” She said.
Contraceptives save women and girls heartache and trauma. The trauma of raising a child alone when you’re just a child yourself and the heartache of being abandoned with no one to lean on.
