Both are locked into their perceived roles in traditional society. From a woman's point of view, she would be too afraid to acquire contraceptives without her husband's knowledge and consent, but also couldn't bridge the subject with her husband. Oftentimes the great age difference between a man and his wife, particularly his second or third wife is another obstacle to communication and decision making on an equal basis. Difference in education can be another obstacle - only one third of the village elementary school students were girls. Indeed a man doesn't have to communicate with his wife.
Tradition mandates their roles and responsibilities within the family.
In his mind he has this image of what he believes his community expects a man to be. Part of this image is control. Nonetheless this forward-thinking young man remarked that he'd very much like to discuss sexual issues with his fianc e, but she was unresponsive to his efforts. Perhaps shy or fearful of appearing immodest, she refused to discuss her opinions, agreeing with whatever he suggested. But solutions do exist.