Tanzania President John Magufuli has condemned the use of birth control pills saying the country needs more people.
“Women can now give up contraceptive methods,” Mr Magufuli said.
Mr Magufuli made his comments at a rally on Sunday in the northern Meatu district, saying people who use family planning methods were lazy.
“They do not want to work hard to feed a large family. And that is why they opt for births controls and end up with one or two children only,” The Citizen newspaper reported.
“I have travelled to Europe and elsewhere and have seen the harmful effects of birth control. Some countries are now facing declining population growth.”
Mr Magufuli made similar comments in 2016. After the launch of free primary and secondary education, he said: “Women can now throw away their contraceptives. Education is now free.”
On average, a woman in Tanzania has more than five children, among the highest rates in the world.
Tanzania has a population of around 53 million people, with 49% of them living on less than $2 (about Shs7000) a day.
