Category: SRHR

Vagina! There We Said It, Says PSI As They Launch VIYA, A Global Sexual Wellness Lifestyle Brand

Michael Gwarisa

IN  a move that is set to demystify and normalize women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, the Population Service International (PSI) has launched VIYA, a first global sexual wellness lifestyle product that puts the power of health choice into women’s and girls’ hands. By Michael Gwarisa The campaign is starting with #TheVword or the word Vagina, which is aimed at disrupting the narrative around women’s healthcare and supporting women to make and own their health choices throughout their lifecycle—from menstruation to menopause. Harnessing technology including artificial intelligence, e-commerce and…

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Harare Residents Concerned Over Rise In Child Sex Work and Drug Abuse

Michael Gwarisa

MOST Harare suburbs are experiencing a surge in cases of drug and substance and child sex work which many residents believe is being driven by the prolonged time the kids have spent outside learning institutions due to lockdown restrictions. By Michael Gwarisa Following the prolonged closure of schools due to recurring lockdown restrictions since 2020, most children have found solace in harmful practices such as sexual experimentation and drug and substance abuse. The massive job losses due to retrenchments and closure of some businesses during the lockdown have also impacted…

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PSI’s Hormonal IUD’s Popularity Grows In Africa

Michael Gwarisa

A new study that was conducted by the Population Service International (PSI) to ascertain the profiles of women who choose to use the hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) method of contraception have revealed that most users continued using the method due to high levels of satisfaction. By Michael Gwarisa The study is titled Introducing the hormonal Intrauterine Device in Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia: results from a pilot study. The study was conducted by Kendal Danna, the PSI Sexual and Reproductive Health Technical Advisor together with her partners where a longitudinal study…

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Delivering As One Post Cyclone Idai Devastation…The Road To Recovery For Cyclone Idai Survivors

Michael Gwarisa

PETER Mutisi, a Cyclone Idai survivor from Kopa, Chimanimani lost his wife, house and entire business empire to the disaster. For the past two years, he has been struggling to cope with the fact that all he had worked for and the person he loved the most disappeared right in front of his eyes and he couldn’t do anything about it. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chimanimani “Everything happened so fast, we receive plenty of rainfall every year in these parts and on the fateful night, that is March 15,…

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SAT launches GBV violence policy brief

Healthtimes

THE SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), a non -governmental organization that supports community systems for sexual and reproductive health rights(SRHR) has launched a sexual Gender Based Violence (GBV) policy brief. By Patricia Mashiri The policy brief was done in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Victim Friendly Unit (VFU)  with the aim of producing evidence on sexual violence which informs the community on the scale on SGBV as well as lead to increased identification and reporting. Speaking during the launch, Dr Mildred Mushunje, the SAT Country Director said the policy…

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There is need to change health professionals Curriculum to suit SRHR

Healthtimes

A conversation with SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), CSOs, Nurses Association, Progressive Doctors Association and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. By Patricia Mashiri Sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are one of the key issues in the discussion on the health rights of adolescents. Speaking during a round table discussion hosted by SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), Mrs Hamida Ismail- Mauto the SRHR Country Operations Manager said there was need to use a multi-sectoral approach in making sure that adolescents access SRHR services. Onset of sexual activity during adolescence is now common,…

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Memoirs of GBV survivors: Catholic Relief Services and Musasa pave way for healing

Healthtimes

With tears rolling down her cheeks, Sarudzai* 34 recalls the fateful day she was struck by an axe on her right arm. Bleeding profusely with a deep cut, she battled for her life. She stares into blank spaces, avoiding eye contact and trying but all means to forget the horrific incident. By Tariro Mhute “I am sure that day he really wanted to kill me. I felt wounded outside and inside, my heart was bleeding too, my heart had been shredded into tiny bits and pieces. I kept asking myself…

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When Elephants Buy Sanitary Pads

Michael Gwarisa

IF looked after properly, wildlife can turn the fortunes of poor communities living adjacent to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries into stories of success and development. However, in most cases, communities around game reserves experience extreme poverty due to a myriad of factors chief among them being the lack of employment opportunities, lack of exposure among other factors. Some end up resorting poaching the wildlife from the parks just to make ends meet. By Michael Gwarisa Not only do communities living around game reserves, wildlife conservancies and national parks fail…

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Fulfilling Our Promise to adolescents and young people

Healthtimes

My years of work in HIV prevention have taught me a few things. Among them, one of the important things I have learnt is that if people do not know how to protect themselves or how to access treatment, they will not be able to prevent HIV or lead happy and fulfilling lives with HIV. Therefore, information and education is key. But its not the only thing needed. I might have the information that unsafe sex may expose me to HIV or other STIs, but I may still go ahead…

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Shamwari Yemwanasikana To Commission A Girls Only One Stop Empowerment Centre

Michael Gwarisa

IN what is likely to improve access to emergency health services and economic opportunities for girls who would have experienced various forms of abuse, Shamwari Yemwanasinaka is in the process of finalising the construction of a One Stop Empowerment Centre in rural Seke. By Michael Gwarisa The empowerment centre, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, will offer shelter to girls aged zero to 18 who would have experienced violence of any kind and who are in need of a safe shelter away from home or the perpetrator. In an…

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