Category: SRHR

It’s All Systems Go for ESA Ministerial Commitments Reaffirmation Meeting at ICASA 2021

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH ministers from across East and Southern African (ESA) countries will converge in Durban, South Africa to reaffirm their commitment to advancing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and youth friendly services in line with the 2030 development agenda and address unfinished business. By Michael Gwarisa In 2030, 20 ESA countries affirmed the ESA Ministerial commitments and in 2021, the affirmation meeting will take place during the 2021 International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Africa (ICASA) conference in Durban South Africa which is running from 6 to 10…

Read More

Spotlight Initiative Delivers Safe Market, One Stop Centre To Address GBV

Healthtimes

Harare – the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, and the United Nations together with local authorities in the Epworth district launched a Safe Market and One Stop Centre as part of ongoing joint efforts to end violence against women and girls. By Fungai Masona The opening of the Safe Market Space and the One Stop Centre coincided with the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence that will take place under a localized theme “End Violence Against Women Now: No to child marriages!” Women Affairs, Community,…

Read More

Shamwari yeMwanasikana Recognizes Men Role Models

Healthtimes

Shamwari YeMwanasikana has conferred awards to male role models who champion Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the eradication of Gender Based Violence (GBV). By Patricia Mashiri The awards were held as part of the commemorations of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence which starts on 25 November and ends on 16 December, under the theme #Oranging the world, end violence against women now. Speaking at the awards ceremony, the guest of honor Mr Stephen Nyaruwata who is the Acting Director Ministry of Women Affairs Community,…

Read More

ZNFPC Engages Parliament Over Teen Pregnancies And Child Marriages

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has met the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education where they presented challenges faced by adolescents and young people in accessing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services. By Patricia Mashiri The meeting was a precursor to the numerous other assemblies scheduled for the no so distant future where they intend to find lasting solutions to the growing burden of early child marriages and teenage pregnancies. In her presentation,Fadzai Mandishona, the ZNFPC Programme Officer Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) said there was need…

Read More

Love Shouldn’t Hurt Campaign Launched

Healthtimes

THE Population Solutions for Health, an organization that spearheads innovation around Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV has launched a campaign against gender-based violence called Love Shouldn’t hurt that is aimed at reducing intimate partner violence through engaging male peers to act as change makers in raising awareness against Gender Based Violence (GBV). By Patricia Mashiri Amongst the peers who have been engaged are Winky D, Holy Ten, Seh Calaz, Roki, Albert Nyathi footballer Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ammara Brown. Speaking during the launch, Honourable Jenifer Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of…

Read More

Teen Pregnancies and Early Marriages Rear Ugly Head in Zim’s Farming Communities

Michael Gwarisa

IT’S a normal day inside Sable Ranch, a farming community at least 6 kilometers outside Marondera town in Mashonaland East province. Since its tobacco planting season, majority of labourers have been sent on a two-week long leave to give the tobacco plant enough time to grow. Just like their parents, school children at Ranch Farm and other surrounding farming communities are attending school just twice every week to adhere to government set COVID-19 prevention protocols. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Marondera, Mashonaland East While the adults have capitalized on the…

Read More

Two Years After Nairobi Summit, High-Level Commission calls for urgent, ambitious action to end alarming disparities in sexual and reproductive justice

Michael Gwarisa

Two years on from the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 — where governments, civil society and the private sector came together voluntarily to recommit to realizing the promises of the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo — the High-Level Commission on the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 Follow-up has launched its first report. Own Correspondent The Commission, an independent advisory body of eminent leaders from around the world was formed to track progress on the 12 commitments in the Nairobi Statement.  In its report, “No Exceptions. No…

Read More

SAT Calls For Harmonization Of Cultural, Religious And Statute Laws To Improve SRHR Access

Healthtimes

HARMFUL traditional, cultural and religious practices have over the years been major contributing factors towards the perpetration of sexual abuse , Gender Based Violence (GBV) and to a larger extent inhibits access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services, hence the need to integrate customary laws and statute law.   By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a harmonization of culture, religion and human rights in promoting SRHR dialogue in Harare, Mrs Hamida Ismail- Mauto , the SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) Country Operations Manager, said SRH Rights should not be infringed by…

Read More

ZNFPC, Partners Launches HIV Prevention Program For Young Girls and Women

Michael Gwarisa

IN a move that is meant to reduce new HIV infections in young people in Southern Africa, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and its partners Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) and Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) have introduced a project that will integrate HIV prevention methods with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and their partners. By Patricia Mashiri The USD$100 872.00 SADC member countries resource mobilization initiative, is a two year funded project which is aimed at building capacity for…

Read More

Dreading To Go Home: The Plight Of Transgender People In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

IN a few weeks’ time, the festive season will be upon us and for many families, it’s a time to meet and catch up on almost everything that would have happened throughout the course of the year. For some college and university students, holidays such as the festive season brings some sort of relief and therapy away from the hectic academic schedule. By Michael Gwarisa However, the same cannot be said for the Transgender and Intersex community in Zimbabwe who in most cases have to think twice and deeply before…

Read More