Category: SRHR

COVID-19 Increases Post-partum Depression Cases In Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

WOMEN have been urged to seek mental health assistance soon after birth to avoid sliding into Post-partum depression especially under the prevailing  COVID-19 pandemic. By Patricia Mashiri Post-partum depression is a form of depression that occurs after childbirth. Those who develop it are at a greater risk of developing major depression later in life. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Kudakwashe Muchena, a the leading Psychologist in Zimbabwe said there was need to take extra care of pregnant and post-partum women as the process of birth comes with a lot…

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Ending Harmful Practices Starts With Allowing Girls & Women Bodily Autonomy- UNFPA

Michael Gwarisa
Young Preganant Women

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe’s Assistant Country Representative, Ms Abbigail Msemburi says woman and girls should have power to make decisions over their bodies as a first step towards ending child marriages, traditional harmful practices and all forms of abuse. By Michael Gwarisa Presenting findings from the 2021 State of the World Population (SWOP) Report during a virtual commemoration of the World Population Day, Ms Msemburi said majority of women were still denied bodily autonomy and data from the SWOP indicated that half of women in 57 developing…

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Realign Policies To End Child Marriages In Zim

Healthtimes

EKENIA Chifamba, Director Shamwari yeMwanasikana a Non-Government Organization that provides support for and supports the empowerment and emancipation of the girl child in Zimbabwe has called on policy makers to bridge the gap between the constitution of Zimbabwe and  the criminal law and codification and reform act so as to protect the girl child. By Patricia Mashiri The constitution of Zimbabwe criminalizes marriage of a girl that is below the age of 18 whilst clashing with section 70 of the Criminal law and codification and reform act which says a…

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ZiCHIRe’s “SHIFTING YOUR MINDSET” Campaign Exposes Linkages Between Drug Abuse And GBV

Michael Gwarisa

THERE has been an increase in Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in areas where substance abuse is rampant especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Zimbabwe Community Health Initiative Research (ZiCHIRe) has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual meeting to mark the 2019 World Population Day, ZiCHIRe Programmes Manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said they had launched a campaign dubbed “Shifting Your Mindset” as a means of raising awareness around drug abuse and mental health in communities such as Mbare, Hopley and Mabvuku. As an organization, what we have…

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SAYWHAT Raises Alarm Over Spike In GBV Cases In Semester Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

THE Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) has raised concern over the prevalence of semester marriages which the organisation says are behind the rise in Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges amongst students. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised World Population Day commemorations, SAYWHAT project coordinator Esinathy Sibanda said COVID-19 induced lockdown had also resulted in surge in GBV cases for semester marriages settings. Semester marriages are one of the things that students in tertiary…

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Building Self Esteem As A young Person

Healthtimes

IT is not easy being a young person in this day and age. Young people face many challenges growing up. At times they are treated like children and at times they are treated like adults so long as the person who is dealing with them stands to benefit. By Fadzayi Maposah One issue that affects young people today is the issue of self -esteem especially low self- esteem. Self- esteem is the value that we put on ourselves, it includes the way we think, the way we perceive, feel and…

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Shamwari yeMwanasikana Challenges Death Of a 14year old Who Died Giving Birth At Madzibaba’s Shrine

Healthtimes

Shamwari yeMwanasikana, a Non- Governmental Organization that advocates for  the empowerment and emancipation of the girl child in Zimbabwe has challenged the death of a 14 year old in the hands of an apostolic sect member after denying her hospital assistance. Staff Reporter In a press statement Shamwari yeMwanasikana indicated the 14 year old girl died during labour in the hands of a madzibaba infringing section 76 of the constitution which advocates for the right to health access. It is infuriating that the young girl met her untimely death in…

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SAT Bemoans COVID-19 Induced Restrictions On SRHR Access

Healthtimes

COVID-19 induced restrictions that have been in effect and periodically reviewed since March 2020, have had negative impact on access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a virtual meeting on adapting to the new normal, Dean Mtata, Youth Officer, SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) said there is need to develop systems that cushion you g people against shocks such as natural disasters and disease pandemics. SRHR services are limited for young people. The lockdown brought in limited movement of people therefore the youths have been…

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UNFPA Calls For Greater Investment In The Provision Of SRH and GBV Services For Women And Young People In The Context On COVID-19

Healthtimes

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for continued investment in the provision of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) services for women and young people in the context of COVID-19 that has caused serious gaps and challenges in the provision of sexual and reproductive health information and services. HealthTimes Reporter  Additionally, the reallocation of resources away from these services towards Covid19 response may affect the health of many women and girls. In her World Population Day message, UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem said, “COVID-19…

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Shamwari yeMwanasikana Responds To Health Minister’s Remarks On Access To SRH Services

Healthtimes

Shamwari yeMwanasikana, a Non- Governmental Organization that provides support for and supports the empowerment and emancipation of the girl child in Zimbabwe has vowed to continue fighting for adolescents and girls to access  Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Services (SRHS) without any restrictions. By Staff Reporter The development comes at the back of media reports that the ministry of health had shot down a request by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and the Thematic Committee on HIV and AIDS to have Section 35 of the country’s Public Health Act amended…

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