Delayed Justice For GBV Victims As Courts Lockdown

DOROTHY (not real name) is married and has a two-year-old child and lives in Epworth. Over the past few days, they have been having fights regarding her new pregnancy which her husband believes its not his and she should have it terminated. By Michael Gwarisa On one occasion, her husband hit her so hard with a log and threatened her with worse torture should she report the case to the police. She had to sleep in the fields just to escape from her brutal husband who has of late become…

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ZICHIRE Takes SAFE SPACES Training To Uzumba

ZICHIRE a Civil Society Organisation implementing community based public health programmes and building of resilient communities has taken their SAFE SPACE program to Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) in a bid to educate communities on issues around Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) among issues. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, ZICHIRE program manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said the training also incorporated sign Language Training for ZiCHIRe’s community cadres conducting SAFE SPACE program in UMP so as to cater even for people with disabilities who are…

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COVID-19 Threatens Access To Obsteric Care

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem says the prevailing COVID-19 global health pandemic was making difficult for some pregnant women to access obstetric care. By Michael Gwarisa In her statement to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula commemorations to be  held tommorow, 23 May 2020, Dr Kanem said the prevailing global pandemic had pushed health systems to limits. Last November, the world convened in Nairobi to celebrate the tremendous gains of the past 25 years in advancing the health and rights of women…

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Zim Experts Warn Of Rise In Unintended Pregnancies After Lockdown…Should Young People Adopt Long-term Contraceptives?

FAILURE by young women and girls to access modern contraceptives and reproductive health services during the lockdown could spell doom and possibly reverse the gains that have been attained in terms of reducing Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs). By Michael Gwarisa According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) 2015, sexually active unmarried women are more likely to have the highest risk of unintended pregnancy. This is because more than 70% of them are on short-acting contraceptives, condoms, and orals. Under a lockdown scenario as ours, supply can easily be disrupted…

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UNFPA Monitors Coronavirus Impact On Pregnant & breastfeeding Women

Young Preganant Women

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it is closely monitoring the Coronavirus pandemic especially its effects to pregnant and lactating women. By Michael Gwarisa UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem said pregnant women deserve priority treatment during times as these. As the new Coronavirus appears across the world, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency is closely monitoring the outbreak and especially its impact on pregnant and breastfeeding women. “Safe pregnancy and child birth both depend upon functioning health systems and strict adherence to infection precautions. Women…

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Additional US$14.8 Million Required To Carry Out 2022 Zim Population Census

Prof Mthuli Ncube

GOVERNMENT has made an appeal to the donor community to complement work around implementation of the 2022 population and housing census through providing additional financial resources. By Michael Gwarisa The estimated budget for the 2022 population and housing census is US$85.5 million and the government of Zimbabwe has pledged to contribute 83% of the total budget while the remaining  is likely to be taken up by development partners. Officiating at the Resource Mobilisation meeting for the 2022 population and housing census, Finance and Economic Development minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said…

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Nutrition Boost For Rushinga Pregnant & Lactating Women

HUNDREDS of women are set to benefit from a food distribution program targeting pregnant and lactating women in Rushinga through a partnership between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Food Program (WFP). By Michael Gwarisa recently in Rushinga The food relief consignment is also part of the WFP lean season assistance in 21 wards of Rushinga district where a total of 5187 beneficiaries in Rushinga which constitutes to 10999 households are set to benefit. At Rutuka, Ward 9 in Rushinga at least six women received the food…

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UNFPA Urges Zim To Scale Up Fight Against Teen Pregnancies

Young Preganant Women

VISITING United Nations Population Fund East and Southern Africa (UNFPA-ESARO) regional Director, Dr Julitta Onabanjo has applauded Zimbabwe’s health institutions for successfully integrating sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services a move she says would go a long in way in responding to the unfinished business regarding access to quality health services. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Obananjo came into the country last week for the 6th edition of the Africaan Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) summit and she also took time to tour health facilities in Bulawayo and Matebelalnd province.  Speaking to…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe Donates Vehicle For Anti Domestic Violence Council Activities

THE United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe has donated a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle to help the Anti-Domestic Violence Council (ADVC) reach usually missed remote areas . By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNFPA Zimbabwe country director Dr Esther Muia said they have been supporting ADVC since its inception through understanding their role in Domestic Violence Act, tabling it in parliament and helping to build capacity as well as developing the Anti Domestic Violence Council first strategic plan. She said the vehicle was meant to improve access in…

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Speakout Campaign Against GBV Launched in Epworth

A  campaign to eliminate  Gender Based Violence (GBV) at community level was today (11/12/19) launched in Epworth, Harare amidst indications that government and partners are in the process of setting up a One-Stop Centre for GBV survivors in the same area. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch of the Speakout: No Longer Silent Campaign in Epworth, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprise Development Provincial Development Officer Mr Ernest Chimbodza said the only way communities can end GBV is by uniting and exposing acts of Sexual Gender…

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