Tag: UNFPA

Comprehensive Sexuality Education Could Help End SGBV In Schools- UNFPA

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)says Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), could reduce cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SHBV) in schools since it is a scientifically proven methodology of delivering sexuality education to learners. By Michael Gwarisa   Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwean schools is perpetrated either by teaching and non-teaching staff and peers. An insidious form of gender-based violence is embedded in child labour practices in the school and the community and gender-based violence is perpetuated by a culture of silence informally maintained by victims, teachers,…

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Tertiary Institutions Should Have Clear GBV Policies To Curb Sexual Exploitation- SAYWHAT

Michael Gwarisa

THE Students and Youths Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) has called on universities, polytechnic colleges, vocational training centers and other in institutions of higher learning to craft Gender Based Violence (GBV) policies in order to effectively deal with incidences of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions. By Michael Gwarisa Cases of sexual harassment and exploitation have been on the increase in most universities and colleges in Zimbabwe even though there is no consolidated data to back it since most victims of Sexual and gender based violence and sexual exploitation…

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UNFPA To Continue Offering Community Based Solutions To Reduce GBV In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has vowed to continue offering community-based mechanisms to mitigate the risk of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa In 2019, UNFPA Zimbabwe focused on expanding safe spaces, distribution of dignity kits and capacity development of GBV sector on prevention and mitigation of GBV in emergency situations. The organization also rolled out One Stop Centres which have also continued to provide critical comprehensive support and services to GBV survivors. According to the UNFPA 2019 Annual Report, they have expanded services to vulnerable…

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ZICHIRE’s Safe Spaces Program Rescues UMP & Mudzi Women Who Experienced GBV During Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (ZICHIRE) is implementing a program dubbed the “Safe Spaces” program in Mudzi and Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) with the aim of empowering women who experienced Gender Based Violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa The humanitarian project is also aimed at capacitating and building resilient communities so as to prevent abuse at grassroots level. In an interview with HealthTimes, ZICHIRE Programs Manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said empowering women economically was one sure way of reducing GBV. The program that we…

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New High Level Commission Established To Track ICPD25 Commitments As COVID-19 Threatens To Sway Progress

Michael Gwarisa

A new High-Level Commission of advocates, experts and activists will be established today to help commitments to women’s health and rights made at the November 2019 Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 stay on track, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is blocking access to essential services, such as family planning and antenatal care. By Michael Gwarisa The Nairobi Summit secured billions of dollars in commitments from governments, the private sector, foundations and others. It rallied support to achieve “three zeros” – zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths,…

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Gvt, UNFPA Raise Concern Over Widening Contraceptive Gap Due To COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have bemoaned the challenges being faced by women  and girls to access contraceptives and family planning services during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a Virtual Media briefing to commemorate World Population Day which ran under theme, “Putting the brakes on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now?” Women Affairs Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said the lockdown had made access to critical contraceptives…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe continues to invest in safe motherhood in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic

Healthtimes

RECENTLY Zimbabwe successfully conducted the delivery of its  first case for a pregnant mother who tested positive for COVID 19. The baby was delivered through a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia at Gweru Provincial Hospital. The operation went on well with full adherence to standard IPC guidelines, announced the Acting Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr. Gibson Mhlanga. SOURCE: UNFPA Communication Department As Zimbabwe and the rest of the world battle the COVID-19 pandemic the safe delivery and management of this delivery is a culmination of the critical investments…

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UNFPA & World Food Programme, partners working together to bring sexual and reproductive health services closer to communities at food distribution points

Healthtimes

CHARITY Fabeni (35) is one of the beneficiaries of the World Food Programme food distribution exercise in Kamutanho village in Mutare district, about 400 kilometres outside Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. On a monthly basis she makes the 2 kilometre trip to the food distribution point at Kamutanho school to receive her ration. On one of her monthly visits and much to her delight, Fabeni learnt she could now collect condoms at the food distribution point. SOURCE: UNFPA COMMUNICATION DESK My husband and I had to use condoms to prevent pregnancy for…

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UNFPA, Partners Call For Eradication Of Early Marriages and Other Harmful Practices In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for collective effort in ending the growing burden of early marriages and other harmful practices which compromise the health and future of young people especially girls and women. By Michael Gwarisa Every year, millions of girls are subjected to practices that harm them physically and emotionally with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends and communities, according to the State of World Population 2020, recently launched by UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency. Findings from the State…

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Time To Confront Silent & Endemic Crisis Of Harmful Practices- UNFPA

Michael Gwarisa

EVERY year, millions of girls are subjected to practices that harm them physically and emotionally, with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends and communities, according to the State of World Population 2020, released today by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. At least 19 harmful practices, ranging from breast ironing to virginity testing, are considered human rights violations, according to the UNFPA report Against My Will, which focuses on the three most prevalent ones: child marriage, female genital mutilation and extreme bias against daughters…

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