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Hi, we trust you had a fruitful week. Speaking of fruitful, I know many of you out there dream of being parents some day, and for those who already are, you must be enjoying every precious moment of parenthood.

But while we rejoice in that, having had the privilege to choose our life partners with whom we wanted to start a family, there are those less privileged who had no choice, but were forced into marriage and parenthood as young as 16. Yes, we live in the 21st Century, but certain practices never seem to die with the ages.

Take, for example, our story about two Somali women who were forced into early marriage, and of course early pregnancy. They ended up suffering from fistula — a condition in which the bladder and or rectum is damaged during childbirth and a woman cannot control the leakage of urine or faeces.

As a result, she is shunned by the very society that put her into that mess. The story is grim, but there is hope. The AMISOM doctors, who are part of the peacekeeping forces in Somalia have taken it upon themselves to help restore these women lives. They can now smile and they know that the future is brighter for them.

In our very own backyard in Bududa, eastern Uganda, there are girls who have also been forced into early marriage, and at the age of 17, start to have babies. Some do not want this kind of life, and want a way to family plan. And, hope has come to them in the camp. They are now enlightened and this, we hope, will be the start to a better life not just for the girls, but for the children as well.

So, not all hope is lost. Men, remember that family planning is not all about the woman - you are an intergal part of it too. So, be sure to see our advice on Men’s Say about just what role you can play in having a healthy family, hence a healthy society and nation.

And, a special treat for you ladies — do not miss this week’s Style Counsel with celebrated fashion columnist Keturah Kamugasa. Have a blessed week.
Lucy Parwot