Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has called on women to stop taking birth control pills, saying the country needs more people.
“Women can now give up contraceptive methods,” Magufuli said.

The opposition however criticised the comments, saying they contradicted the country’s health policy. Tanzania has a population of around 53 million people, with 49% of them living on less than $2 (£1.50) a day. On average, a woman in Tanzania has more than five children, among the highest rates in the world.

The President made his comments at a rally on Sunday in the northern Meatu district, saying people who use family planning methods were lazy.

“They do not want to work hard to feed a large family. And that is why they opt for births controls and end up with one or two children only. I have travelled to Europe and elsewhere and have seen the harmful effects of birth control. Some countries are now facing declining population growth” he said.