Gynecologist Dr Edgar Valadares said modern contraceptive methods were not a 100% guarantee for preventing pregnancy and urged women to discuss the issue first with their husbands.
He was speaking at a public forum on reproductive health organized by the East Timorese Women’s Communication Forum (FOKUPERS) in Farol, Dili.
“Women should consult with their husbands first because there is still a risk of getting pregnant,” said Valadares.
He said family planning had physical, mental and social impacts for women and that it was therefore important that they had access to accurate information.
Meanwhile, a representative of Marie Stopes International Timor-Leste (MSITL), Cristovao da C.R, said the organization offered family planning services for women providing their husbands agreed.
He said on one occasion a mother-of-eight had lied about having consulted her husband to MSITL and Ministry of Health personnel, who were visiting rural areas at the time to provide family planning services.
However, her husband later became angry when he learnt that she was given an IUD (Intra Uterine Device).
Nurses and a team from MSITL immediately went to the couple’s home to explain family planning techniques, after which the women’s husband agreed to let his wife use contraception.
“From that day, we decide only to attend those people who have an agreement from their husbands,” he said.
In line with policy, MSI team also provides family planning services to non-married people.
Meanwhile, FOKUPERS Executive Director Marilia Alves said there was a lack of knowledge around family planning issues, particularly in rural areas.
She said there was also a lack of access to services and many women of reproductive age were unaware of sexually transmitted diseases.
She said in reality many husbands would approve of their wives using contraception but there is lack of clear information and fear of side effects.
