Choosing Autonomy: The Rising Trend of Sterilization Among Kenyan Women

An increasing number of Kenyan women, such as Nelly Naisula Sironka and Muthoni Gitau, are opting for tubal ligation as a means to assert their individual rights to a child-free life amidst societal expectations. These choices reflect broader conversations around women's autonomy and challenge traditional views on motherhood in Kenya.

In recent years, a noticeable shift is occurring in Kenya regarding women's reproductive choices, with an increasing number of women rejecting traditional norms surrounding motherhood in favor of sterilization procedures. Nelly Naisula Sironka, a 28-year-old organisational development expert, epitomizes this trend. Last October, she underwent tubal ligation, a permanent sterilization surgery that has enabled her to embrace a future free of motherhood, a decision she describes as liberating.

Historically, tubal ligation was most commonly associated with women who already had multiple children. According to Dr. Nelly Bosire, a Nairobi-based gynecologist, there has been a marked increase in the number of childless women seeking this procedure, reflecting a significant change in societal attitudes toward family planning. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 16,000 women underwent tubal ligation in Kenya, signaling a growing trend of women asserting their reproductive rights.

Sironka’s decision was influenced by her upbringing and the feminist literature she explored. “Books by US feminist authors like Toni Morrison and bell hooks revealed a different path for women,” she shared. With a focus on education and self-fulfillment encouraged by her father, she deemed sterilization a viable option after years of contemplation, particularly amid fears about eroding reproductive rights globally.

Similarly, Muthoni Gitau, a popular Kenyan YouTuber, has openly discussed her sterilization journey with her followers. She recalls her initial awareness of not wanting children at the age of 10, a sentiment that continued into adulthood. Her experience, however, was fraught with challenges. When seeking a surgical solution at 23, she faced resistance from medical professionals who prioritized traditional views on motherhood. After multiple attempts, she finally found a supportive doctor willing to proceed with the procedure.

Both Sironka and Gitau highlight the socio-cultural barriers to making autonomous reproductive choices in Kenya. Dr. Bosire acknowledges the ongoing challenge of shifting medical perspectives, which often reflect cultural norms that classify the desire for sterilization as abnormal. For many women, this requires navigating not only personal desires but also societal expectations and medical gatekeeping.

Despite these challenges, sironka and Gitau represent a growing cohort of women who advocate for their rights in a patriarchal society. By sharing their stories online, they contribute to a dialogue that empowers others to consider life beyond motherhood. Gitau emphasizes, “Women can contribute to the world in so many other ways. I am grateful to live in a generation where choice is a thing.”

In a region where women's rights are often contested, the rising trend towards sterilization among Kenyan women embodies a broader call for autonomy and empowerment, challenging entrenched norms and enabling individuals to define their own paths in life.