Former Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, has urged young people to avoid having children before they are financially and emotionally prepared to raise them.
Speaking on the subject of responsible parenthood, Nakiwala emphasized that having children should be a personal choice rather than something driven by societal pressure, competition, or obligation.
She advised young people to carefully plan for parenthood and ensure they are capable of providing for a child’s basic needs, including food, education, and overall well-being.
It is not advisable to give birth before you are prepared and have a clear plan for how you will provide for your child, feed them, and educate them. Giving birth is not a race or a competition. It is a choice, not an obligation.
Nakiwala also argued that countries that have achieved significant development placed greater emphasis on population planning and responsible parenthood.
She cited China as an example, referring to its former one-child policy, which imposed strict limits on family size for many years.
Some of the nations that have developed started by putting in place tough restrictions. In China, for example, people were once limited to having only one child.
The restrictions were so strict that someone could even be prevented from having a second child if they lacked the means to support another child. Here, many people continue to have children without adequate planning.
She further expressed concern that many people treat parenthood too casually, urging individuals to take greater responsibility for their lives and the future of the families they intend to raise.
“People take the issue of giving birth as if it is a joke. I call upon everyone to take personal responsibility for how they handle their lives and prepare for the future.”
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