REPRODUCTIVE |

Albert Nyathi, Adiona Chidzonga Appointed Family Planning Brand Ambassadors

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Renowned poet and musician Albert Nyathi and Songstress, Adiona Chidzonga, have been re-appointed brand ambassadors for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in a move that is set to boost the uptake of Family planning services in Zimbabwe. Nyathi and Adiona’s contracts will run for one year with the possibility of renewal. Adiona’s role as ZNFPC brand ambassador commenced in 2018 and the council has been renewing it over years. Nyathi’s role involves being a Male Motivator, whose sole mandate is to raise awareness on Family…

MOZAMBIQUE: MSF expands access to safe abortion care in Beira

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Health Reporter Tuesday, January 23, 2024 — In Beira, a city on Mozambique’s central coast, Doctors Without Borders/MSF is connecting hard-to-reach communities with safe abortion care and other sexual and reproductive health services. Mozambique has one of Africa’s most liberal abortion laws, allowing abortion on request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in limited circumstances, including fetal abnormality. Though abortion has been legal since 2014, many people still face obstacles to accessing this care, including stigma, misinformation, and corruption, such as charging for…

Hope on the Horizon for Zimbabwe as health Ministry Signs Comprehensive abortion Care Guidelines

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 Healthtimes

By Edinah Masiyiwa The Acting Chief Director for Public Health, Dr W Nyamayaro, has signed off on the National Comprehensive Abortion Care (CA) Guidelines for Zimbabwe after more than a year waiting period. These guidelines follow the World Health Organisation’s Post Abortion Care Guidelines of 2022. These guidelines will go a long way in saving many women and girls’ lives in Zimbabwe through comprehensive abortion care. The CAC guidelines articulate the burden of unsafe abortion on the health delivery system as they highlight that each year, 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths…

The hidden cost of inaction on menstrual poverty

January 9, 2024July 26, 2024 Healthtimes

Women and gilrs receive saniatry pads in Bindura during a WAG Road Show

By Theresa Nyava-Machadu In today’s modern world, it is disheartening to think that many girls and women still face significant barriers when it comes to managing their periods. Menstrual poverty, the lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and facilities, continues to plague communities across Zimbabwe. This silent crisis not only affects the physical and mental well-being of women but also hampers their educational and economic opportunities. It is high time we shed light on this issue and understand the real cost of not taking action. Menstrual poverty has…

Reducing Unsafe Abortions through Family Planning

December 14, 2023January 22, 2024 Healthtimes

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), family planning (FP) and comprehensive abortion care are part of primary health care (PHC), and the availability of these services is essential for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). However, lack of access to these services remains a big challenge across the world. Health care providers in many African countries lack the relevant skills and knowledge to provide evidence-based, person-centred and respectful services in these critical areas. Post-abortion family planning (PAFP) is the use of family planning methods immediately…

Challenging Online Post-Abortion Stigma in Zimbabwe: Advocating for Compassion

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau Introduction The discourse surrounding abortion remains a contentious and divisive topic worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception to the complexities that surround it. Recognising that the decision to undergo an abortion is deeply personal and multifaceted, individuals navigate this choice for various reasons. The subject is often marred by misinformation, disinformation, and pervasive stigma, posing significant hurdles for those seeking safe and reproductive healthcare. The social media space in Zimbabwe has become toxic toward young girls and women who undergo abortions. This editorial delves into the…

Role of Guidelines in Reducing Unsafe Abortions

November 20, 2023 Healthtimes

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to World Health Organisation (WHO), six out of 10 unintended pregnancies end up in induced abortions, with 45 percent of all abortions estimated to be unsafe globally. Thus, strengthening access to comprehensive abortion care (CAC) within the health care system is fundamental to meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to good health and wellbeing, and gender equality. In 2022, the WHO launched the new Abortion Care Guidelines to provide guidance for provision of comprehensive abortion care services (CAC) globally. Priority aspects of the…

The Burden of Unsafe Abortions among Adolescent Girls

October 30, 2023October 10, 2024 Healthtimes

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Introduction Adolescents are a diverse group; their sexual and reproductive health needs and ability to meet those needs vary based on their life circumstances, including marital status and urban or rural residence. Adolescents often face a multitude of challenges in obtaining sexual and reproductive health services, including social stigma, judgmental attitudes of community, health care providers, financial constraints and lack of information. Key sexual reproductive health issues affecting youths include among others, STIs/HIV & AIDS, teenage pregnancies, unintended pregnancies, drug and substance abuse, and sexual gender…

Discussing the intersection of abortion and gender equality

October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 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,…