Author: Kuda Pembere

Young Mothers Left Behind as Sexuality Education Falters in Schools

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere In Highfield, many pregnant learners are quietly disappearing from the classroom. Every day, it is almost impossible not to see Chipo wandering barefoot around the neighbourhood. To strangers, she may appear troubled, yet her mind is sharp and her speech clear. Chipo became pregnant in 2022 at the age of 14 while attending a private independent college nearby. She has never returned to school, despite being the eldest of ten children. “I was never that bright in school, so returning is a waste of time. I have…

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TB Stigma Remains High in Zimbabwe as Experts Urge Media to Step Up

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has made meaningful progress in reducing the national tuberculosis burden, yet stigma linked to the disease remains stubbornly high and continues to outpace that of HIV. Health advocates say this is where the media must step in and help shift public attitudes. This concern was raised by Dr Donald Tobaiwa, the Executive Director of Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, during a media sensitization meeting on drug resistant TB held last week in Kwekwe. “But currently, TB stigma, as of the stigma index assessment, is at 49 percent…

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#WAD2025: CWGH Urges Zimbabwe to Boost Local HIV/AIDS Funding as Donor Support Declines

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter The Zimbabwean Government has been urged to prioritize domestic resource mobilization for HIV/AIDS programs amid shrinking donor support. Speaking on World AIDS Day, Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director Itai Rusike  in a statement warned that reliance on external funding is unsustainable. He cited the abrupt withdrawal of United States Government support under Donald Trump as evidence of the risks. “Following the abrupt withdrawal of United States Government funding, the awakening call has been presented on getting weaned from major donors to avert consequences in…

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#WAD2025: OPHID urges stakeholders to transform HIV response for equitable, sustainable systems

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter As Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating World AIDS Day today, health stakeholders have been urged to move beyond resilience and focus on transforming systems to ensure equitable, inclusive, and sustainable responses to the HIV epidemic. Executive Director of the Organisation for Public Health Innovation and Development (OPHID), Dr Tinashe Chinyanga in a statement said twhile Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and expanding treatment access, recent disruptions—from pandemics and economic challenges to climate-related crises—have tested the strength of health systems and communities.…

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Youth Ministry and UNICEF Open New Innovation Hub for Young Zimbabweans

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe continues to grapple with rising drug and substance misuse, a trend often linked to idleness and high unemployment among young people. In response, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training has begun establishing social innovation hubs, with the latest launched at Ruwa Vocational Training Centre on Friday. The Ruwa Social Innovation Hub is a partnership between Government, UNICEF and Boost Fellowship. Speaking at the launch, which coincided with the Harare Province combined graduation ceremony, Minister Tinoda Machakaire said the event’s theme aligned strongly with…

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New HIV Prevention Injection Expected in January, Minister Mombeshora says

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Following the expeditious registration of the long acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, Zimbabwe is expecting the new injectable to arrive in the country in January next year. Addressing journalists on Friday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora said preparations for the roll out have been completed. “Our roll-out plan, I think everything is now in order. Some training has been done for the medical staff and sites have been identified for the roll-out. But we do not have many doses. I think we are expecting…

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Community Health Equity Fund Launched in Hopely as Nation Prepares for Insurance Scheme

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere and Edward Makuzva At a time when out of pocket health spending is high for many urban residents in Harare, the City of Harare on Wednesday officially launched the Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF) in Hopely. The launch at Tariro Clinic comes six years after President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened the facility. Officiating at the event, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, in a speech read on his behalf by Policy and Planning Director Dr. Stephen Banda, said the CHEF is part of preparations for the…

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New youth risks emerging in digital age, SAYWHAT warns

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere As Zimbabwe marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, with young women and adolescent girls increasingly facing online harassment, Government has pledged to protect young people from digital harm. This was said by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Solomon Mhlanga, while officiating at the 15th anniversary of the SAYWHAT National Students Conference on Tuesday. “The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training firmly believes in digital dignity and ensuring safe and equitable access to technology as…

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ActionAid Zimbabwe Warns of Rising Digital Violence as 16 Days of Activism Begin

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter ActionAid Zimbabwe has raised alarm over a surge in online violence targeting women and girls, calling on Government, regulators, and technology companies to strengthen protections as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin. The annual campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, according to ActionAid Zimbabwe calls attention to the growing dangers women face online and the urgent need for collective action. ActionAid in a statement said forms of digital violence…

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15th SAYWHAT Students Conference Introduces Parliament Researchers

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The 15th edition of the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) Students Conference roared to life on Monday with new additions, namely the presence of Parliament researchers and students from universities, teacher training colleges, and agricultural training institutions. The opening day featured a Research Indaba where parliamentary portfolio committee researchers shared insights and educated students on how Parliament works. Research papers presented by students covered topics such as GBV among males, the nexus between Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), disability and climate,…

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