Experts Tackle Infertility, IVF Stigmatisation

In a bid to break the stigma associated with infertility and Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in Africa, Nigerian experts have unveiled a documentary confronting the emotional toll of childlessness on individuals and couples.

The experts also used the platform to challenge long-held societal narratives against men’s and women’s reproductive health on the continent, arguing that stigma attached to infertility by society, particularly against women, could affect an individual or couple’s mental health and push them into engaging in actions that could damage their health if they were not assisted by experts to grow above the abuse.

The experts and advocates also appealed for more advocacy on the issues around infertility, saying the push to change the narrative must not be limited alone to the film, ‘Not Addressing This Anymore (NATA)’, directed by filmmaker, Huzzain Bello.

Our correspondent gathered that the intense conversations between advocates and experts over infertility occurred in London, the United Kingdom (UK), following the screening of the film, NATA, in Genesis cinema, a show that further marked a significant milestone in the film’s global journey, barely a year after its premiere in Lagos State.

The 26-minute documentary, which examines the cultural, emotional, and societal dimensions of infertility in Nigeria, drew a diverse audience that included fertility advocates, creatives, and members of the African diaspora.

The founder of Fertility Conversations, Ola Taiwo, who shared insights from her journey, including undergoing 14 IVF cycles, stressed the need for more advocacy to reduce stigma and protect individuals and couples from the society.

Addressing the gathering, the founder of Always a Mum, Funke Oham, raised concerns about the realities of stillbirth and baby loss in the African society, stressing the need for stronger emotional support systems for individuals and couples who could be experiencing challenges within the African society.

The creator of Moment with Aminat and a Trying-To-Conceive (TTC) advocate, Aminat Sheriff, addressed mental health, faith and societal pressures, drawing from her personal journey and how she has made peace with her situation.

In recognition of its impact, NATA received the Social Impact Award from the Activists Without Borders Film Festival, adding to its growing list of accolades.

After the screening, the director, Bello, emphasised the urgency of continued dialogue, saying this formed a major reason for the film, NATA.

While noting the immediate emotional connection he witnessed among the audience, he said: “We can’t stop addressing the issue of infertility.”

The director lamented that women who were unable to conceive were often described as barren, without due consideration for the reasons behind the challenge.

“The inspiration for NATA is deeply personal. Growing up in a Yoruba-speaking community, I was exposed early to the word “Àgàn,” used to describe a woman who is unable to conceive. It carried a heavy stigma, and from a young age, I understood how society often reduces a woman’s worth to her ability to have children.

“Years later, this reality became even more personal when a close family member and his wife struggled with infertility for over a decade. I witnessed the emotional toll, the medical procedures and the constant pressure from society.

“Sadly, she passed away in 2017 following complications from an improper surgical procedure during that journey. That experience stayed with me. It revealed how deeply infertility can affect mental health, test faith and push people into difficult and sometimes dangerous decisions, often driven by societal expectations.”