Zari Hassan Urges Women to Think Carefully Before Having Children

KAMPALA, Uganda —Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan has urged women to carefully consider their financial and personal preparedness before having children, particularly in relationships that may not last.

In a TikTok video shared on Thursday, September 10, Zari advised women to ensure they can independently provide for their children in the event that their relationships break down.

“You need to be able to take care of your children should things not work out with your person,” she said.

Zari cautioned women against assuming that having a child will automatically strengthen a relationship or make a partner more committed.

She said circumstances can change, with some men allegedly making promises about fatherhood before later changing their attitudes towards the relationship.

‘Be Very Stingy With Your Womb’

Zari encouraged women to be deliberate about motherhood, using the phrase “be very stingy with your womb” to emphasise the need for careful decision-making.

She warned against having a child in the belief that it would make a partner love them more or secure the relationship.

“I know you’re going to be like, ‘Oh, but I love him. Oh, but if I have a baby with him, he’s probably going to love me more,’” she said.

According to Zari, women should instead consider the possibility that they could eventually have to raise their children as single mothers.

“Have that baby for yourself,” she advised.

Zari Acknowledges Good Fathers

Despite her cautionary message, Zari clarified that she was not suggesting all men abandon their families.

“There are still good men on this planet. There are still provider fathers on this planet,” she said.

However, she maintained that women should not rely entirely on a partner's promises when making decisions about having children.

She encouraged prospective mothers to ensure they have the financial and personal capacity to care for a child independently if circumstances change.

‘That Was Then’

Zari also addressed potential criticism over her advice, given that she is herself a mother of five children.

“That was then. That was then,” she said, suggesting that her views have evolved with experience.

She encouraged single mothers to share their experiences with women considering motherhood, saying such conversations could help others better understand the realities and responsibilities involved in raising children alone.

Financial Preparedness

Zari also highlighted the financial demands associated with pregnancy, childbirth and raising a child.

“Everything is expensive,” she said, pointing to expenses including antenatal care, hospital bills and the broader cost of raising a child.

She urged women to assess whether they would be financially capable of meeting those responsibilities without depending entirely on a partner.

“Make sure you are in a position to take care of this child if things don’t work out with your person,” she said.

Zari concluded by advising women who are not prepared for that possibility to wait before having children.

“If you can’t, stay stingy,” she said.

Her comments have sparked discussion around financial independence, relationship expectations and the responsibilities that come with parenthood.