Tanzania Suspends Family Planning Advertisements

In a letter, Mpoki Ulisubisya, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, told organizations carrying out family planning activities in Tanzania, including USAID, to recall family planning advertising spots from local media.

The letter which was dated Sept. 19 ordered the organisations to stop airing all content on family planning until it is revised by the government.

“The ministry intends to revise the contents of all your ongoing radio and TV spots for family planning.

“Thus, I request you to stop with immediate effect airing and publishing any family planning contents in any media channels until further notice,” Ulisubisya said in the letter.

The letter, however, said the Ministry of Health acknowledged efforts being undertaken by the organisations in supporting family planning activities.

“We want to come up with a standard message to the public on family planning,” Ulisubisya said.
The suspension of family planning ads came about 10 days after President John Magufuli reiterated his opposition to birth control.

Speaking at a public rally in Meatu in Simiyu region on Sept. 9, Magufuli said people should not listen to those advising about birth control, some of it coming from foreigners, because it has sinister motives.

Those going for family planning are lazy, Magufuli said, because they are afraid they will not be able to feed their children.