Category: REPRODUCTIVE

Isolated And Frowned Upon: The Plight Of Zim Women With Obstetric Fistula

Michael Gwarisa

 UNFPA Says there is need for post-surgery psycho-social support for survivors MEMORY (50) (real name protected) from Bikita, Masvingo experienced Obstetric Fistula for the first time on October, 27, 1995 when she had her second child. At first, she didn’t even know what was happening to her, she thought it was just a minor tearing which would heal after a few days. Obstetric fistula is described as the “most devastating birth injury” by the World Health Organization (WHO), that results in continuous and uncontrollable leaking of urine or faeces, resulting…

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Zimbabwe Rolls Out “SAYANA PRESS,” A New Long-term Contraceptive Method

Michael Gwarisa

A modern and long lasting but reversible contraceptive method called Sayana Press, is currently being rolled out across Zimbabwe in a move that is set to expand birth control options for women. By Michael Gwarisa The contraceptive product was piloted in 2020 while the rollout commenced in April 2021 covering, Mashonaland East, Matebeleland North, Bulawayo and Matebeleland South. In other parts of the country, the Sayana is only being administered at Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Population Services International (PSI) and Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) clinics. Speaking to HealthTimes,…

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Obstetric Fistula: New Amnesty International Report Reveals How Barriers To Accessing Public Health Facilities Expose Zim Women And Girls To Life-changing Childbirth Related Injuries

Healthtimes

PREGNANT  women and girls in Zimbabwe are at risk of  life changing childbirth-related injuries, including obstetric fistula, as many shun public healthcare facilities in favour of home-based deliveries due to inadequate health infrastructure, cultural practices  and high hospital costs, Amnesty International said today in a new report. HealthTimes Reporter The report, “I never thought I could get healed from this“, lays bare the physical and psychological trauma that women and girls who experience obstetric fistula in Zimbabwe go through. The condition, described as the “most devastating birth injury” by the…

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Malian Woman Gives Birth To Nine Babies

Healthtimes

A 25-year-old Malian woman has given birth to nine babies – two more than doctors had detected during scans. Halima Cisse gave birth to the nonuplets in Morocco. Mali’s government flew her there for specialist care. “I’m very happy,” her husband told the BBC. “My wife and the babies [five girls and four boys] are doing well.” https://apply.unicaf.org/unicaf/nurses-day?utm_source=ground-marketing&utm_medium=healthtimes&utm_campaign=zimnur0521&dg_tag=8ab0866c A woman who had eight babies in the US in 2009 holds the Guinness World Record for the most children delivered at a single birth to survive. Two sets of nonuplets have…

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New Report Sounds Alarm On Global Shortage Of 900,000 Midwives

Michael Gwarisa

THE world is grappling with massive shortage of midwives, exposing  lives of women and newborns to the risk of death, ill health or injury, a new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed. By Michael Gwarisa According to the 20201 State of Midwifrey Report by UNFPA, WHO and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and partners, the world is facing a shortage of 900,000 midwives, which represents a third of the required global midwifery workforce and the COVID-19 crisis has only exacerbated these problems, with the health…

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Women And Girls Need Post COVID-19 Support

Healthtimes

THE COVID-19 pandemic has further widened existing social and economic inequalities between women and men, leaving women and girls prone to Gender Based Violations (GBV) and other societal ills, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) championing women and girls rights have said. By Patricia Mahsiri Speaking during a virtual meeting on the Impact of COVID-19 Stimulus Packages in Zimbabwe on GBV Interventions, Tawanda Zimhunga, Deputy Director Protection Services, Ministry of Public Service Labor and Social Services said when households and communities are placed under pressure, the risk of multiple forms of violence…

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Child Marriages and Teen Pregnancies: Twin Evils Widening Opportunities Gap Between Boys and Girls in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa
Mashonaland Central Provincial Nursing Officer in the MoHCC, Anna Chinyemba

GROWING incidences of early marriages and Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs) that have also been exacerbated by the prevailing COVID-19 health emergency, have thrown girls and young women in an abyss of poverty, further making them vulnerable to various forms of abuse, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Bindura According to statistics, there have been increased cases of teenage pregnancies during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period in Zimbabwe owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being the alarming rates of…

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Lafarge Hands Over Mothers Waiting Shelter In Chimanimani

Michael Gwarisa

LAFARGE Zimbabwe has handed over a four–bed fully contained expectant mothers’waiting shelter in Chikukwa Village, Chimanimani. By Staff Reporter This project is one of the two projects that the cement manufacturing firm contributed in response to the unfortunate occurrence of Cyclone Idai which left a trail of destruction in 2019. The waiting mother’s facility will service a sparse community of approximately 10000 people spanning across a 30km radius. Speaking at the handover event, Larfarge Chief Executive Officer, Precious Nyika said they were fulfilling some pledges they made when the Cyclone…

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#BREAKING: Three Rape Cases A Day In Mash Central, Family And Close Relatives Major Perpetrators

Michael Gwarisa
Sup Tungadza

MASHONALAND Central province has been recording  alarming rates of rape cases of minor girls and young women, amidst indications that the whole province has been registering not less than three rape cases on a daily basis for the past 12 months. By Michael Gwarisa in Bindura The increase in rape cases has largely been attributed to the COVID-19 induced lockdown as minor girls and young women were locked indoors with abusers who are either their close relatives and or their neighbors. Briefing an International Women’s Day commemorations event in Bindura…

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When Period Poverty Meets Water Crises: Harare Women and Girls Develop Vaginal Infections As They Go For Hours Wearing Damp Unwashed Reusable Sanitary Pads And Rags

Michael Gwarisa

SHARON Bumhira (26) from Hopley, Zone 3 is unemployed and every month, whenever her period visits, she finds it difficult to manage her menstrual hygiene as she can’t afford to buy sanitary pads. Like many girls in the area, Sharon uses rags and at times a reusable sanitary pad. By Michael Gwarisa For most girls and young women in Hopely, buying sanitary pads is a luxury they can’t even afford and a bucket of water is more important than buying a sanitary pad. The water situation in Hopely has made…

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