Category: SRHR

Abortion conversation must recognize women’s bodily autonomy and integrity

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau The previous installments touched on the legal regime regulating abortion in Zimbabwe having previously established that abortion doesn’t pose a moral dilemma. If anything, abortion services are part of the basic health needs for tens of thousands of women each year in Zimbabwe. That the law proscribes safe abortion by choice, limiting it to exceptional cases of medical emergencies, rape and incest is an act of injustice which undermines this right. This article will look at the dimension of how existing abortion regulation undermines the fundamental…

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Curtain comes down on Regional SRHR Symposium…As Sweden Assesses New Funding Proposal For 2gether4SRHR Program

Michael Gwarisa

THE three day Regional Symposium on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR),has come to an end amidst growing calls for increased investment and creation of an enabling policy framework that allows for the smooth implementation of SRHR programs in the East and Southern African region (ESAR). By Michael Gwarisa in Victoria Falls The symposium was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and organized by UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4 SRHR Programme. Over 200 delegates from across 24…

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Unsafe Abortion – The Hidden Health Crisis

Healthtimes

By Dr M Murwira In the early years of my medical career, it was always exciting to start a new role in the various medical specialties at a Central Hospital. As such, I was looking forward to the experience of working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. However, my first Gynecology department night shift was a baptism of fire. In the emergency ward, multiple sick women lying on stretcher beds and on the floor awaited me. It was a horrific experience to see both young and mature women crying, writhing…

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Future-Proofing SRHR Against shocks and emergencies through Integrating Healthcare Services

Michael Gwarisa

DURING the opening session of the East and Southern Africa regional SRHR symposium in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, United Nations Population Fund-East and Southern African Region  (UNFPA-ESARO)) Deputy Regional Director, Chinwe Ogbonna called on regional leaders and implementers of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) to devise new strategies to protect the gains that have been attained in as far as SRHR is concerned. By Michael Gwarisa The symposium is running under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4 SRHR Programme which combines the unique strengths and contributions of…

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All set for Inaugural Zim Reproductive Health Arts festival

Healthtimes

SAYWHAT, a youth and student centered organisation which works around sexual reproductive health (SRH) says they are ready to host the creative Reproductive health arts for transformation (CRAFT) festival on the 22nd of October 2022 in Harare. By Patricia Mashiri The CRAFT  is a national event that brings together winners of The CHASE competition drawn from all provinces around Zimbabwe. Its participants are first position winners in poetry, drama, music and public speaking. A total of 36 winners from across provinces will be participating at the festival. Running under the…

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Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Symposium Kicks-off In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

OVER 20 African countries are gathered in the resort town of Victoria Falls to deliberate on issues around access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people with the aim of finding a lasting solution to teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV infections in East and Southern Africa. By Michael Gwarisa in Victoria Falls The three day regional symposium which will run up to Thursday, October 13, 2022  has been organized by the  UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4…

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SAT Holds Adolescent Activism Awards

Healthtimes

The Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Africa Trust (SAT) held its fifth edition of Adolescent Activism Awards in honour of the youths that have excelled in SHRH activities in their communities during the past year. By Patricia Mashiri The award are meant to appreciate the efforts done by youths in different communities of the country in as far as SRHR issues are concerned. Speaking during the event, The guest of honour the Child President, Unathi Nyoni represented by Vimbai Jukwa, the child Member of Parliament Zengeza West and also the Minister…

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Pro safe-abortion advocates engage the clergy

Kuda Pembere

It is about time religious leaders change their mindset towards safe abortion given their great influence in communities which could help save many lives lost to dangerous and unsafe abortion practises. By Kuda Pembere This was said during the International Safe Abortion Day commemorations held on Friday. Organisations in the consortium which commemorated the International Day of Safe Abortion included SheDecides, Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), SafAIDS with support from Swedish Embassy. The International Safe Abortion Day is marked every 28 September. It emerged from documentaries from PSZ and Katswe Sistahood…

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Infertility on the rise in Zimbabwean Men

Michael Gwarisa

THERE is currently an increase in infertility in Zimbabwe owing to a myriad of factors ranging from anatomical, environmental, dietary/weight and physiological factors, reproductive health experts have warned. By Michael Gwarisa Infertility, which is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse affects approximately 48.5 million couples globally. Data from a cross section study by consultant Obstetrician, Dr Mugove Madziyire et al which explored “The causes of infertility in women presenting to gynaecology clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe” shows that half of the causes…

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Zimbabwe Health Journalists Trained On Sensible Infertility Reporting

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in partnership with the Merck Foundation and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), hosted a half day training to sensitise Zimbabwean Journalists on issues around fertility and infertility. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes in the midst of a growing burden in fertility related complications in both women and men in Sub-Saharan Africa largely driven by lifestyle related health conditions and Non Communicable diseases (NCDs). Giving her remarks during the training, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rasha Kelej said there were numerous risk…

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