Magufuli urges Tanzania's women to "set ovaries free" to boost economy

President John Magufuli urged Tanzania’s women to bear more children to boost the country’s economy [Photo, Courtesy]

President John Magufuli urged Tanzania’s women to “set your ovaries free” and bear more children as a way to help boost the economy into a regional powerhouse, a step critics said would instead worsen inequality and poverty.

“When you have a big population you build the economy. That’s why China’s economy is so huge,” he said late on Tuesday, citing India and Nigeria as other examples of countries that gained from a demographic dividend.