Barriers to Fertility Regulation in Nigeria: A Literature Review

Abstract

The ability of women to control their own fertility is absolutely fundamental to women’s empowerment, equality and general wellbeing. Evidence suggests that only few attempts have been made to understand the interconnections between fertility regulation and the complex tactics women must use to preserve and develop their social identities This paper discussed fertility regulation. It also examined factors hindering fertility regulations in Nigeria such as cultural norms, religion, myths and misconceptions, gender inequalities and lack of access and availability of contraceptives for adolescents. The review concluded that to achieve a holistic and equitable recovery from the current fertility issues Nigeria is facing, girls and women must be empowered as drivers of change, acknowledging the central role they play not only in the family and community but in the economy and human resource management. This is because investments that meet women’s and adolescent girls’ needs for family planning and quality reproductive health care, would improve women’s health. It also creates opportunities for broader, sustainable development. Based on the review, it was recommended among others that couples should have joint decision making towards the size of the family they need to avoid unnecessary increase in population and government should strengthen and enforce existing policies and laws to regulate population growth as rapid increase in population has significant effect on the country’s development.