Between Survival and Suffering: The Hidden Reality of Family Planning in Angola

Family Planning in Angola: Rights, Risks, and Public Health Accountability

A mother of eight shares her story of reproductive health challenges, systemic gaps, and the urgent need to advance SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being.

 I Just Wanted My Body to Rest” — A Mother’s Testimony from Angola

Poverty, maternal loss, and health complications reveal the deeper inequalities surrounding reproductive healthcare access.

An investigative report examining women’s health, healthcare access gaps, and the implementation of SDG 3 and SDG 5.

Introduction

Greetings everyone.

My name is Sofonie Dala, investigative journalist from Angola, and today I address an urgent topic: women’s health.

Maternal health complications continue to claim the lives of many women across Africa. Family planning is a fundamental reproductive right. However, when adverse reactions occur without proper follow-up, women’s health can be placed at serious risk.

This report aligns with:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality

• SDG 1 – No Poverty

Today, we speak with Luisa, 39 years old, mother of eight deliveries, who shares her lived experience.

Interview

Sofonie Dala: Please introduce yourself.

Luisa:

Hello, I am Luisa. I will talk about family planning. Family planning is good, but it also has consequences.

I have been using family planning for three years. The first time I used pills. When my menstrual period came, there was heavy bleeding with large blood clots.

I told the doctor. She said family planning is like that, it has consequences.

In Angola it is not very advantageous.

On Poverty and Responsibility

I am a mother of eight deliveries. I buried three children and remained with five alive.

My life is a great challenge. School fees are very expensive. Where we live there are no public schools, only private schools.

These are some of the reasons I chose family planning.

I would not advise people to do it because there is always a consequence.

On Injections and Illness

I changed the method but I was already very sick.

After two injections in my thigh I became sick immediately.

I also received injections in my arm and buttocks.

I have bleeding.

I feel strong pain around my spine, abdomen, chills.

I lost a lot of weight in two weeks.

On Health System Gaps

I went back to the hospital. They told me I need to book a major consultation. I do not know what that means.

I still feel very sick.

On Hepatitis B

About Hepatitis B

Interviewer: Last time you spoke about hepatitis B. How are you now?

Luísa:

I had hepatitis B, now I have overcome this problem, thank God.

When I contracted this disease, I had a newborn baby. Unfortunately, he did not survive.

In the following pregnancy, I did medical tests and it showed hepatitis B. I received treatment.

My baby was born healthy and is growing well.

I also used traditional home remedies, such as coconut tree roots and mango tree roots.”

When I repeated the test it was negative.

Investigative Reflection

Luisa’s story highlights:

• The need for informed consent

• Post-contraceptive monitoring

• Socioeconomic pressure on women

• Health system supply shortages

• Specialist referral delays

Under SDG 3, women must not only have access to contraception — they must have access to safe, monitored, high-quality reproductive care.