African Women and the Shame and Pain of Infertility

“This book is a prophetic social critique of the negative characterization of infertility in African cultures and in some versions of traditional Christianity in Africa. It brings together a rich array of voices in Africa from different regions of the continent. These different theological traditions and bioethical positions are put into a healthy and creative conversation on these pages. I highly recommend this book to all as a unique contribution to African Christian studies, bioethics, womanist studies, and pastoral theology.”


—Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor of World Christianity and African Studies, Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University





“This fascinating work uses social-cultural tools to analyze and highlight the ethical issues around female infertility and the lifelong impact of this condition on their happiness, personal fulfillment, and sense of worth and dignity. The author, by incorporating the perspectives of prominent women theologians—Oduyoye and Uchem—psychologists, social workers, and pastors, challenges us to shun cultural and ethical practices that destroy life. Then to respect and promote socio-cultural practices, spiritual traditions, and interpretations (of Igbo moral principle of onyeaghalanwanneya), which foster human dignity, human rights, and well-being especially of African women. This book is invaluable to ethicists, theologians, healthcare professionals, pastors, and all who care about the plight of infertile people.”


—Peter I. Osuji, Assistant Professor, Health Care Ethics, Duquesne University





“In African Women and the Shame and Pain of Infertility, Damasus C. Okoro has made a case for taking seriously the plights of African women as they journey towards justice. This work showcases the fruits of elaborate research and dialogue with multiple interlocutors. In this work, Okoro shows clearly the intersectionality of social, cultural, theological, philosophical, and medical ethics. Scholars interested in women’s studies cannot but embrace this work as their new vade mecum.”


—SimonMary Asese Aihiokhai, University of Portland, author of Fostering Interreligious Encounters in Pluralist Societies: Hospitality and Friendship





“Dr. Damasus Okoro’s book African Women and the Shame and Pain of Infertility embraces a problem which has plagued Igbo culture, the issue of childlessness. Utilizing multiple disciplines (science, African Traditional Religion, ethicists, theologians, and literature) and a comparative method, this book opens a conversation the author passionately thinks needs to be had within Igbo culture. . . . This book is important in several ways. It opens conversation about how a Christian might approach the oppression of couples who are childless, especially African Igbo women who overwhelming bear the burden of childlessness. The book also, and more importantly, argues for scholars and practitioners to pay attention to ethical principles and practices already evident in a culture. Imposing ethical principles from outside a culture does nothing more than contribute to the oppression of the people. I highly recommended African Women and the Shame and Pain of Infertility as a valuable partner for theologians, ethicists, and practitioners interested in contributing to the liberation of God’s people.”


—Richard Perry, Professor Emeritus, Church and Society/Urban Ministry, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago