Category: REPRODUCTIVE

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Young Mothers Left Behind as Sexuality Education Falters in Schools

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere In Highfield, many pregnant learners are quietly disappearing from the classroom. Every day, it is almost impossible not to see Chipo wandering barefoot around the neighbourhood. To strangers, she may appear troubled, yet her mind is sharp and her speech clear. Chipo became pregnant in 2022 at the age of 14 while attending a private independent college nearby. She has never returned to school, despite being the eldest of ten children. “I was never that bright in school, so returning is a waste of time. I have…

Read More

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…

Read More

Inside Binga’s Herbal Sex Boosters: The Man Behind the Popular Guchu Remedy

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Deep in the heart of Binga, in the midst of thick forests and scorching heat, the name Siposami Chuma is synonymous with the word saviour in some circles owing to his mastery of herbs. These are not ordinary herbs but Guchu, a mixture of roots and plants ground together to form a powder he claims can turn a man into a beast in the bedroom. At least that is what he says. If there is anything African men fear the most, it is discovering that their sexual…

Read More

Zimbabwe makes landmark financing commitment for family planning and reproductive health

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  BOGOTÁ, Colombia, 5 November 2025 – As traditional global aid for reproductive health declines, Zimbabwe announced its own bold investment to safeguard access to family planning for women and girls nationwide. The commitment was announced at the International Conference on Family Planning in Bogotá, Colombia, during a high-level session co-hosted by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and FP2030. Zimbabwe pledged an additional US $2.25 million yearly for the procurement of contraceptives in 2026 and 2027. “The Government of Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to the…

Read More

Mhangura Hosts World Contraception Day as Zimbabwe Pushes for Domestic Family Planning Investment

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere in Mhangura Zimbabwe last Friday belatedly marked World Contraception Day in Mhangura with the launch of the country’s Contraceptive Cost Recovery Framework, aimed at improving domestic financing for family planning commodities and services. The commemorations, held at Mhangura Recreational Club, drew hundreds of community members and health stakeholders. Mashonaland West was selected to host the national event to raise awareness on contraception, as the province records one of the highest rates of adolescent pregnancies in the country. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe’s…

Read More

Legal Barriers Undermine Adolescent Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health in Zimbabwe

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere There is a misalignment in Zimbabwe’s laws that continues to negatively affect access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services by adolescents, which may help reduce the scourge of teenage and child pregnancies. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as individuals aged 10–19 years, and youth as those aged 15–24. However, legal pronouncements governing the provision of SRHS remain restrictive, often influenced by cultural and religious beliefs. This concern was raised during a media sensitization workshop on the Step Up 4 Adolescents SRH campaign. YA executive director Tatenda…

Read More

Guchu Linked To Rise In Prostate Problems For Gokwe Men

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe A sizable number of men in Gokwe are now facing serious prostate health issues, a condition locally known as Ku Blocker. Health authorities believe this troubling rise may be tied to the widespread use of Guchu, a traditional sex-enhancing concoction used by many men to improve sexual performance. Gokwe is known for its polygamous traditions, largely shaped by cultural and religious beliefs. Polygamy is also common in neighbouring districts like Kariba and Binga. To keep up with demanding sex in polygamous settings, men in these…

Read More

Sperm Cells May Carry Traces of Childhood Stress, Study Finds

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  New research suggests that fathers who experienced high levels of stress during childhood may carry traces of that trauma in their sperm, potentially influencing their offspring — though scientists caution that more research is needed before drawing firm conclusions. The study, published on January 3, 2025, in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, examined the epigenetics of sperm cells from men exposed to significant childhood stress. Epigenetics refers to chemical or molecular modifications that affect how DNA is read, without altering the underlying genetic code. These changes can influence…

Read More