Category: SRHR

Discussing the intersection of abortion and gender equality

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau Recently, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Rishi Sunak, declared that ‘women are women and men are men.’ His comments added further controversy to the ongoing debate on gender equality and the rights of transgender individuals. However, this also presents an opportunity to interrogate issues related to gender equality, particularly on abortion. After all, the ability to control one’s body has been historically denied to women, for example, the right to when and not to have a child. Abortion, the termination of a pregnancy,…

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Time To Put Back Teenage Pregnancy, Abortion On The Political Agenda

Healthtimes

By Edinah Masiyiwa As we commemorate both the International Safe Abortion Day on the 28th  September and World Contraception Day on the 26th of September, we should be sure to focus on the problem of early unintended pregnancies among girls ages 10 to 14 years. A few weeks ago, news of these early pregnancies was featured in different media of Zimbabwe thanks to a new survey conducted on the topic which revealed that the adolescent 10 to 19 years pregnancy rate is at 23%.. A United Nations Populations Fund  report…

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ZAOGA’s Pastor Gandawa Speaks On Four Decades Journey With Infertility

Healthtimes

The general assumption is that men and women of the cloth are immune to certain life’s challenges and upheavals. Well, that is not the case. No one is immune to problems, especially health problems  such as infertility. Infertility is not a respecter of men and can affect anyone at any given time regardless of one’s social status, race, culture or creed. By Nthokozo Gudu Since the biblical old testament days, women  with infertility or those who failed to bear children were stigmatized against and labelled barren and society looked down…

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Young women at high risk of STIs in Zimbabwe – Study

Healthtimes

By Paul Sixpence ONE in four young women in Zimbabwe is likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) – with odds higher in young women living with HIV, the STICH study has revealed. The STICH study was conducted in Bulawayo and Harare by the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI). Close to 10 000 youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years were enrolled into the study with over 8 500 (86%) accepting testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis. The STICH study was nested within CHIEDZA/UKUKHANYA…

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The Treble Tragedy in Women’s Health: Unmet Need for FP – Unwanted Pregnancy – Unsafe Abortion

Healthtimes

Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Introduction Women and girls in developing countries face multiple challenges in accessing affordable, quality and comprehensive sexual reproductive health and rights (SRH&R) services. This article explores three key issues that affect women and girls sexual reproductive health outcomes, morbidity and mortality. The “Treble Tragedy” in women’s health, particularly in the developing world are – Unmet Need for Family Planning – Unwanted Pregnancy – Unsafe Abortion. The Primary Health Care (PHC) concept coupled with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) approach are opportunities to ensure universal access to SRH&R…

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Reviewing the impact of the legal lacuna in Zimbabwe’s abortion law

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau Zimbabwe has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) of 2019, Zimbabwe has a maternal mortality ratio of 462 deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 32 deaths per 1000 live births. While this is an improvement from the 614/100 000 live births for maternal deaths recorded in 2014, the slow rate of progress indicates that Zimbabwe is unlikely to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for reducing maternal mortality.…

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Africa’s commitment to upholding SRHR needs more action than words

Kuda Pembere

AFRICAN leaders have been commended for committing to international and regional conventions to uphold sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) although much needs to be done regarding coherent service provision policies between Health and Education ministries. By Kuda Pembere in Zambia This was said by Zambian SRHR expert Mr Lester Phiri recently in an interview with journalists during a Values Clarification and Attitude Clarification (VCAT) training of journalists in Zambia. The training was organized by HIVOS. “So the very fact that our governments have made these commitments towards improving the…

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A Fruitful Marriage: Urban Voucher System Reduces Maternal Deaths in Harare’s Central Hospitals/Council Clinics

Michael Gwarisa

Like many women in high-density and peri-urban communities, Method Pagiwa (26), from Kuwadzana Phase in Harare, registered her pregnancy with the Antenatal Clinic at Rujeko Polyclinic in Dzivarasekwa, when she was seven months into her pregnancy. This, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards is not recommended as they prescribe that women in developing countries such as Zimbabwe, should seek ANC within four months (17 Weeks) of pregnancy. By Michael Gwarisa On July 7, 2023, Method started experiencing labor pains and her waters broke while she was on her…

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As ICPD30 Beckons, Here Is How Zimbabwe Has Fared In Fulfilling Nairobi Summit Commitments

Michael Gwarisa

IN 2019, Zimbabwe joined the world in Nairobi, Kenya for the 25th International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (ICPD25). The week-long event aimed to strengthen partnerships and harness re-commitments in the continued empowerment of women, and young people and ensuring access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. By Michael Gwarisa Next year, 2024, the ICPD will mark 30 years since the ICPD Programme of Action was adopted in 1994 by 179 Member States in Cairo Egypt. The ICPD, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),…

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WAG Launches Four Months Long Campaign To Mark 40th Anniversary

Healthtimes

The Women’s Action Group (WAG) this year celebrates 40 years of championing the feminist movement in Zimbabwe in their quest to advance women’s rights and end abuse of women and girls in all spheres. By Ntokozo Gudu To celebrate the four decades WAG launched a four-month campaign with this year’s celebrations themed “WAG@40: We move on”. Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Wednesday, WAG executive director Mrs Edinah Masiyiwa said they will continue to fight for the uplifting and respect of a woman’s dignity. The formation of WAG…

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