Journée mondiale de la vasectomie : Briser les tabous autour de la contraception masculine au Sénégal
Every November 12th, the world celebrates World Vasectomy Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about this male contraceptive method, which remains largely unknown or misunderstood. In Senegal, as in most African countries, vasectomy remains a taboo subject, surrounded by cultural prejudices and misinformation, even though it is a safe, effective, and long-lasting option for family planning.
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that involves blocking the vas deferens, thus preventing sperm from being released into semen. Performed under local anesthesia, the procedure typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes and does not affect virility, sexual performance, or pleasure. In some cases, it can even be reversed.
A shared responsibility that is still tentative
In Senegal, family planning is still perceived as a woman's responsibility, despite awareness campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Health and partner organizations. National statistics show that male contraceptive methods—condoms or vasectomy—remain marginal, with an adoption rate of less than 1%.
“Many men think that vasectomy makes them impotent or ‘less of a man,’ which is completely false,” explains a health worker in the Dakar-Ouest district. “It’s a method of shared responsibility, which shows that men can also be actively involved in birth control.”
Between taboos and gradual opening
In several regions of the country, the issue touches on the core of social and religious norms. Male fertility control is often viewed negatively, even associated with an attack on masculinity. Yet, a growing number of community actors, religious leaders, and health associations are working to overcome this cultural resistance.
Local initiatives, particularly in Dakar, Thiès, and Saint-Louis, are now incorporating vasectomy awareness into reproductive health campaigns, featuring testimonials from men who have undergone the procedure. These men emphasize the freedom, peace of mind, and marital solidarity they have gained.
World Vasectomy Day serves as a reminder that balanced family planning cannot be achieved without the active participation of men. In a country where the fertility rate remains high (approximately 4.5 children per woman according to the ANSD) and where unmet needs for contraception persist, promoting vasectomy also empowers couples and reduces pressure on the healthcare system. More than a medical procedure, vasectomy symbolizes a new form of shared responsibility in reproductive health, a necessary evolution for building healthier families and more equitable societies.
Commentaires (9)
Mais non, vous etes là avec vos pensées d’arriérés, si je me tape encore une minette à 70ans, je pourrai pas l’engrosser, té gua am une équipe d’enfant ba paré! Chtipiri…, lou khoumbal sén thiaya yi rék, béne empathie amoléén ko
Mais non,
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