For many people, infertility, miscarriage, and reproductive loss are among the most painful experiences they will ever endure. Yet despite affecting countless individuals and families, these struggles are often carried in silence, hidden behind closed doors and rarely discussed openly.

It is this silence that the Breaking the Taboo Summit sought to challenge, bringing together healthcare professionals, mental health practitioners, advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience at SACAP Johannesburg in Sandton on June 6.

Read more: 5 Infertility warning signs women should never ignore

Hosted by the Thari ya Pula Foundation in partnership with SACAP, the summit created a safe space for conversations around infertility, reproductive health challenges, pregnancy loss, mental health and healing. For summit founder Wandile Radiokana, the event was born from personal tragedy. “The Breaking the Taboo Summit was deeply inspired by my own lived experience with pregnancy loss and the silence that followed it.”

Radiokana explained that she experienced a stillbirth in 2022 and found herself confronting not only grief but also feelings of isolation. Questions about motherhood, healing, and identity often went unanswered, while many people around her avoided conversations about her loss altogether. “I was the first person in my family to experience a stillbirth. What became immediately clear to me was how unprepared many of us were to navigate that kind of grief.”

She pointed out that experience eventually led to the creation of the Thari ya Pula Foundation, an organisation dedicated to mental health advocacy, psychosocial support, reproductive health awareness, and community healing. According to Radiokana, one of the greatest misconceptions surrounding infertility and pregnancy loss is the belief that a woman’s worth is tied to her ability to have children.

“The moment infertility, miscarriage, or reproductive health challenges enter the picture, many people begin internalising feelings of failure, shame, and inadequacy. I think that is deeply harmful.” She added that stigma often extends into families, communities, and even faith spaces, leaving many people feeling judged rather than supported. The summit also highlighted significant gaps in emotional aftercare for those navigating infertility and reproductive loss. While medical treatment is often available, emotional support is not always accessible.

Also read: Common causes of infertility in men and women

“A lot of people assume that once the medical process is complete, healing naturally follows, but for many individuals, the emotional journey only truly begins afterwards.” She elaborated that mental health formed a key part of the discussions, with experts emphasising that reproductive loss affects far more than physical health. Many people experience anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness, and grief while trying to continue with everyday life.

The summit featured medical doctors, psychologists, reproductive health specialists, bereavement advocates, and community organisations, all working to provide practical information and support. Radiokana hopes the event will become an annual platform that helps break the silence surrounding infertility and reproductive loss.

“Success would be seeing these conversations continue long after the summit ends. Ultimately, success is creating a future where fewer people feel alone in these journeys and where conversations around reproductive health and loss are no longer taboo.” For those currently struggling with infertility or loss, she said, “Your grief is valid, your experience matters, and you do not have to earn the right to mourn what you have lost. You are not alone.”

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