Tanzanian President John Magufuli has told women to “set your ovaries free” and have more children to help the country’s economy grow, reports Reuters news agency.
“When you have a big population, you build the economy. That’s why China’s economy is so huge. I know that those who like to block ovaries will complain about my remarks. Set your ovaries free, let them block theirs,” he is quoted by Reuters as saying at a gathering in his home town of Chato on Tuesday.
This isn’t the first time he has urged women to have more children. The last time was in September.
Last year Mr Magufuli said curbing the birth rate was “for those too lazy to take care of their children” Reuters adds.
Critics say that this stance is bad economics.
“High population growth in Tanzania means increased levels of poverty and income inequality,” a rights activist based in Dar es Salaam, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters.
