Category: SRHR

Zim Launches Pledge To End To Child Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development together with the United Nations (UN) in Zimbabwe and its agencies, UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA convened in Harare to launch a pledge to end child marriage, amidst growing calls for increased women involvement to end child marriages in the country. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes amidst indication that child marriage remains widespread in the country with evidence on the ground showing that one out every three women in Zimbabwe were married before the age of 18 due…

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Poverty drives teenage pregnancies in Gwanda

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S dreary economic situation and poverty in families in Gwanda have been driving teenagers out of school leading to many teenage pregancies. By Kudakwashe Pembere Matebeleland South Legislator Honourable Sipho Ndlovu-Mokone in an interview with HealthTimes said most of these teenagers that fall pregnant are usually school drop outs. “Most teenagers of school going age become school drop outs at an early because of economic reasons, their parents or guardians can’t afford to foot their educational bills,” she said. “Drug abuse also is another factor,where teenagers take drugs and end…

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Murambinda Sex Workers Inject each other’s Intoxicated Blood To Get High

Michael Gwarisa

FLASHBLOOD, a new trend of drug of and substance abuse has reportedly emerged among Murambinda based sex workers where desperate drug users deliberately inject themselves with another addict’s blood in an effort to share the intoxication. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Murambinda Flashblood is a syringe full of blood passed from someone who has just injected heroin to someone else who injects it in lieu of heroin. In Buhera District, novice and young sex workers have reportedly been practicing flashblood or bluetoothing as it is known in other parts of…

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Using Community Footprint To Eliminate New HIV Infections In Sex Workers

Michael Gwarisa

Spiwe Chikwawa (49), a sex worker from Mutare has been in the sex work business for two decades now. However, a few years ago, Spiwe developed a rare Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). In her own words, she says this particular STI takes the trophy in the history of all stubborn STIs as it became resistant to treatment at some point only to disappear after it had resurfaced for the third time. By Michael Gwarisa in Mutare Due to a prolonged period with the STI, she also developed a pungent and…

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Period poverty remains a major challenge for girls, young women

Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL society organisations has bemoaned the challenges faced by girls and young women in finding dignified sanitary wear. By Patricia Mashiri Sanitary wear has become expensive and a luxury for most girls as most of them resorted to using unhygienic waste materials which are uncomfortable and pose health hazards at times. Speaking at a Women’s Action Group (WAG) virtual Menstrual Hygiene Day Commemorations, Nancy Jokonya,  the Ministry of Health and Child Care representative who was the guest of honour said menstrual health and hygiene management remains a cause for concern…

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More talk on menstruation can end stigma: Plan International

Healthtimes

Plan International Zimbabwe says more conversation about menstruation can help in eliminating associated stigma. In a statement commemorating World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Plan International said this is a global advocacy day that mobilises diverse national and international stakeholders to promote good menstrual health and hygiene management. By Staff Reporter “Inadequate spaces for conversations around periods coupled with unreliable and inconsistent access to clean water continue to contribute to period poverty and, investing in such is a prerequisite for dignified menstrual health and hygiene management,” said the organisation noting that, “For…

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SAFAIDS To Set-Up CSE Anti-Opposition Task-force Team In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS), is in the process of establishing a national Anti- Opposition committee for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Zimbabwe, as means to systematically counter opposition to towards (CSE). By Michael Gwarisa Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a curriculum-based process of participatory teaching and learning about aspects of sexuality aimed at equipping children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that empower them to realise their sexual and reproductive health well-being and rights; develop healthy interpersonal relationships; reflect on the…

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Zimbabwe Comprehensive Sexuality Education Implementers Can Ride On the Devolution Wave

Michael Gwarisa

IN 2013, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other development partners under the leadership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UESCO), initiated a process to develop a regional commitment within the East and Southern Africa region. By Michael Gwarisa In December 2013, the political process to create the commitment was met with success as 20 Member States signed onto the new East and Southern Africa (ESA) Ministerial Commitment. These Governments thus committed themselves to work together for the good of adolescents and young people to deliver comprehensive sexuality…

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Maintaining dignity during menstruation

Healthtimes

Across the region, the unique needs of women and girls are often overlooked – particularly their menstrual health. When a disaster hits, people who menstruate often do not have access to menstrual materials such as menstrual pads and underwear in a context that lacks clean water and waste disposal systems. By Björn Andersson stigma, cultural practices and restrictions placed on people who menstruate further exacerbate an already difficult situation. In every country in the region, we need to remove remaining taboos on menstruation so we can contribute to an inclusive…

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Enter the Dildo: Sex Toys Will Soon Render Men Obsolete- Says Zim top Psychologist

Michael Gwarisa

 IT seems those days when men used to enjoy exclusive rights to pleasuring women sexually are fast coming to an end. Just like the now obsolete Dodo, the Dildo will soon replace the penis. It’s going to be an era like never before, there shall be gnashing of teeth as reality will soon hit men that they are not the only option out there and before they even know it, they will find themselves fighting for a spot in a world dominated by Polythene and rubber sex toys. By Michael…

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