Category: Op Ed

A special feature section for guest columnists

Teen Pregnancies Are Not Recklessness. They Are a Sign of Silence, Stigma, and System Failure

Healthtimes

Mildred Mushunje and Dean Mutata Why Zimbabwe must urgently invest in youth reproductive health and safe abortion care to unlock its demographic dividend Sub-Saharan Africa is recorded as having one of the world’s youngest populations, and Zimbabwe is a striking example. With adolescents and young people constituting roughly 60%–62% of the population, the country is experiencing a significant youth bulge. This is not a burden; it is a demographic opportunity. Healthy, informed, and empowered young people translate into productive economies, strengthened gender equality, and a foundation for sustainable development and…

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Why media narratives matter for safe abortion and reproductive justice in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau “Abortion kills.” “Abortion is illegal.” “Abortion is a sin.” “Baby Dumped in Bush as Illegal Abortions Rise.” “Zimbabwe: Our Ugly Secret – Abortion, Illegal but Thriving.” “How Can Zimbabwe Allow Abortion When It Has Just Abolished the Death Penalty?” “Zimbabwe: Historic Victory for Reproductive Justice – High Court Ruling.” “New Abortion Guidelines Expand Choice in Zimbabwe.” These are the headlines that shape Zimbabwean opinions long before anyone reads the actual law. Media breaking stigma or building it? The media plays a key role in shaping public…

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Why Reforming the Termination of Pregnancy Act Can No Longer Wait

Michael Gwarisa

By Edinah Masiyiwa I have been closely following recent developments on access to safe abortion for women and girls in Zimbabwe. As I reflect on the Women’s Action Group’s (WAG) campaign on safe abortion in the early 1990s, I am encouraged by how far the country has come on this issue. When WAG advocated for access to safe abortion then, the organisation faced intense opposition that ultimately silenced the public campaign. Quiet, behind-the-scenes advocacy continued, eventually resulting in post-abortion care being adopted as a key component of reproductive health services—an…

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Gambling: The New Mental Health Crisis Stalking Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Method Moyo (Counselling Psychology Intern) Gambling, while often viewed as a form of entertainment, can lead to addiction and devastating consequences. Take, for example, Tawanda (not his real name), a 32-year-old man from the Makoni area of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Initially a promising professional, Tawanda’s casual gambling evolved into a compulsive behavior fueled by cognitive distortions such as the illusion of control and the gambler’s fallacy. Despite warnings from family and friends, he continued to gamble, ultimately losing his job due to absenteeism and poor performance. Financial instability followed, and…

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The silent weight of love – a mother’s journey raising a child with disability

Healthtimes

Abstract The birth of a child with a disability presents significant psychological challenges for mothers, often resulting in heightened emotional distress, including grief, depression, and anxiety. Mothers raising children with disabilities often bear a profound, yet silent, emotional and physical burden.  This article reviews the psychological effects experienced by these mothers, identifies contributing factors, and discusses evidence-based interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes. Understanding these dynamics is critical for healthcare providers to offer comprehensive care and support. Introduction   The arrival of a new-born typically signifies hope and joy. However, when a…

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Navigating the Midlife Crisis: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health and Strategies for Resilience

Healthtimes

By Method Moyo Tariro and Blessing (pseudonyms) have been married for over twenty years. From the outside, they appear settled with two grown children, a modest home in Kwekwe, and years of shared memories. However, inside their quiet house, a storm brews. As the Shona proverb says, “Chakafukidza dzimba matenga.” Tariro, now 47, feels invisible. Her days are filled with caregiving, church commitments, and the struggle of adjusting to a body she no longer recognizes. Blessing, 52, is restless—questioning his career, masculinity, and whether he has lived up to the…

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Businesses Fail when they Fail to Support Women Interests

Healthtimes

By Professor Myriam Sidibe Amid predictions of Africa’s growth and the potential of its youth, one inconvenient statistic tells a different story. Africa has the highest rate of femicide worldwide [2.9 victims per 100,000 in 2023] – around 22,000 women and girls are killed every year by an intimate partner or family member. I spend a lot of time tackling this inexcusable epidemic through the organisations, brands and companies I work with. This week I am at the United Nations General Assembly in New York trying to keep this overlooked…

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CWGH Urges Transparency and Equity in Zimbabwe’s 2025 Budget Allocation

Michael Gwarisa

By Itai Rusike The 2025 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review, presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion on 31 July 2025, comes at a time when Zimbabwe is recovering from a tough economic year. A projected economic rebound to 6.0% in 2025, from 1.7% in 2024, largely attributed to a strong agricultural season, is commendable. However, the country remains largely informal, with 76.1% of businesses operating outside the formal economy. This high informality weakens domestic resource mobilisation, constraining sustainable development. Public debt remains a critical challenge.…

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Prosecuting HIV Under a Repealed Law Will Take Zimbabwe 20 Years Back Into the Dark Ages

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In May 2022, Zimbabwe took a bold and progressive step by repealing Section 79 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalised the deliberate transmission of HIV. This repeal was not merely a legislative change, it was a milestone in Zimbabwe’s HIV response, signaling a shift toward science, public health, and human rights. It reflected years of research and advocacy that consistently showed criminalising HIV does not prevent transmission but rather perpetuates stigma, gender inequality, and legal uncertainty. Yet today, a complex and concerning development…

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The Erosion of a Sacred Bond: Understanding Divorce in Zimbabwe from a Biblical Perspective

Healthtimes

By Pastor Simbarashe Chenjerai Marriage is a sacred and God-ordained institution — a profound symbol of the divine union between Christ and the Church. This holy covenant, formed between a man and a woman, is founded on love, trust, and mutual respect. Yet, in today’s world where spiritual warfare rages, this sacred bond is under siege. The devil, ever determined to dismantle God’s order, relentlessly attacks the family unit by eroding the institution of marriage. Divorce in Zimbabwe: A Growing Concern As a Pastor, Chaplain, and Marriage Therapist, I have…

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