Category: REPRODUCTIVE

Comprehensive Post Abortion Care is an Essential Component of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Critical for the Attainment of Health Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Healthtimes

In my years of experience working in sexual reproductive health (SRH), the most topical debates include the topics of unintended pregnancies, teenage pregnancies, sexual gender based violence (SGBV), and abortion among others. Termination of Pregnancy (abortion) is one of the most controversial and emotive issues across the social realm in a conservative society like Zimbabwe. The main thrust of social-cultural discussions in sexual reproductive health is around prevention of unintended pregnancies thus avoiding the topic of abortion completely. However, the dilemma is when prevention fails, what happens next? The Zimbabwe…

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The Politics of The Uterus

Healthtimes

The Lack of Adequate Information and Awareness on Safe Abortion Services among Young Women and Girls is Promoting Continuous Clandestine Abortions By Mufaro Musiyazviriyo The term abortion, generally makes people uncomfortable! In my work as a Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Program Officer, often times, I conduct awareness raising trainings and focus group discussions on SRHR issues with young women and girls in tertiary institutions and communities, where incidents of unsafe abortions have been reported. I have made it a habit to begin my introductions by mentioning the term…

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Abortion and the moral dilemma; the contradictions of policy and practice

Healthtimes

Moral dilemmas are situations in which an individual is faced by two conflicting ethical decisions, none of which overrides the other. Middle ground anti-abortionists reasoning often cite the moral dilemma as the reason why a definitive position on abortion cannot be reached. This article will look at the middle ground challenge of the moral dilemma as it relates to abortion in the context of Zimbabwe. By Memory Pamella Kadau Abortion in perspective An abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy, which can happen spontaneously, as in the case of…

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China Considers Offering Attractive Incentives For Families To Have More Children As Birth Drops

Michael Gwarisa

A total of 17 Chinese government departments on Tuesday jointly released a guideline on support policies in finance, tax, housing, employment, education and other fields to create a fertility-friendly society and encourage families to have more children, as the country faces growing pressure from falling birth rates. Analysts said that it is rare to see so many ministries and departments jointly release such a detailed and comprehensive guideline on encouraging fertility and supporting childbearing, underscoring the seriousness of the growth rate of China’s population, which has slowed significantly, with a…

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Hivos’ Program Expands SRHR Services To Street Children and Vulnerable Groups

Michael Gwarisa

THE Consent2Access Campaign, an advocacy initiative on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) being implemented by Hivos and its partners across Eastern and Southern Africa, has gone a step further by extending services to groups of adolescents and young people that are usually left out in a number of health programs. By Michael Gwarisa The program is being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the regional SRH Funds Advocacy campaign aimed at promoting progressive laws, policies and practices that can ensure adolescent and young people access…

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Zimbabwe To Host 23rd International Congress On STIs

Michael Gwarisa

THE 23rd edition of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI), will be held in Zimbabwe  from September 4 t0 September 7, 2022, in the resort town of Victoria Falls.   By Michael Gwarisa The Congress will run under the theme, “Confronting Inequities in STI Prevention, Diagnostics and Care,” and will be graced by  various speakers from across the world. In an interview with HealthTimes, Charlene Thlabane Project Manager for the 23rd IUSTI congress said they expect not less than 300 attendees at the 23r IUSTI congress. We expect that…

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Revamped Online Comprehensive Sexuality Education Teachers Course To Reach More Teachers

Michael Gwarisa

A new look online Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) course for teachers has been launched during a virtual meeting that was attended by governments officials, teachers from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia as well as other stakeholders from across the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. By Michael Gwarisa The CSE Online Course for Teachers is a self-paced online course that provides teachers with access to comprehensive study material developed by CSE experts. Teachers are acquiring adequate knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are critical for effective CSE delivery. This is a way…

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Zimbabwe Comprehensive Sexuality Education Implementers Can Ride On the Devolution Wave

Michael Gwarisa

IN 2013, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other development partners under the leadership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UESCO), initiated a process to develop a regional commitment within the East and Southern Africa region. By Michael Gwarisa In December 2013, the political process to create the commitment was met with success as 20 Member States signed onto the new East and Southern Africa (ESA) Ministerial Commitment. These Governments thus committed themselves to work together for the good of adolescents and young people to deliver comprehensive sexuality…

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Over 700 Obstetric Fistula Repairs Conducted In Zimbabwe Since 2015

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), have since the year 2015 conducted over 700 Obstetric Fistula (OF) repairs in women and girls. By Michael Gwarisa Obstetric fistula is a tear that occurs between the birth canal with the bladder and or rectum that leaves women leaking urine, faeces or both without control. As a result it leads to social rejection, and or subsequent medical complications with infection occurring easily. If not treated in a timely way it also causes…

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Enter the Dildo: Sex Toys Will Soon Render Men Obsolete- Says Zim top Psychologist

Michael Gwarisa

 IT seems those days when men used to enjoy exclusive rights to pleasuring women sexually are fast coming to an end. Just like the now obsolete Dodo, the Dildo will soon replace the penis. It’s going to be an era like never before, there shall be gnashing of teeth as reality will soon hit men that they are not the only option out there and before they even know it, they will find themselves fighting for a spot in a world dominated by Polythene and rubber sex toys. By Michael…

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