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Choosing to be childfree

Doreen Yomoah and Nina Steele are childfree by choice. They discuss why they talk openly about it and the impact not wanting children has had on their relationships.

When a woman chooses not to have children, why is it still seen as a radical decision? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women about their stories and the stigma associated with their choice to be childfree.

Doreen Akiyo Yomoah is a writer and blogs at Childfree African. Born in Accra, Ghana, she has lived in the US, Japan and Senegal and she is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. She chose not to have kids in her early 20s and she thinks being childfree is part of a wider discussion about reproductive rights and feminism.

Nina Steele is the founder and editor of Nonparents.com. She is originally from the Ivory Coast and she is now based in the UK. When she discovered she couldn't have children, she decided to stay childfree. She says her website has become a resource for African childless and childfree women and men alike.

Produced by Alice Gioia.

IMAGE

L: Doreen Akiyo Yomoah (Credit: Lamine Bouan)
R: Nina Steele (Courtesy of Nina Steele)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sat 30 Jan 2021 18:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 02:32GMT
  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 06:32GMT
  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 09:32GMT
  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 13:32GMT
  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 21:32GMT
  • Mon 25 Jan 2021 23:32GMT
  • Sat 30 Jan 2021 18:32GMT

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