SAfAIDS launches 2024 HIV prevention shadow report

By Kuda Pembere SAfAIDS Zimbabwe on Thursday launched the 2024 Zimbabwe HIV Prevention Shadow Report where the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) together withe the National AIDS Council (NAC) were tasked to complete Zimbabwe’s HIV national prevention roadmap by September this year. Presenting the report on Thursday, SAfAIDS Regional Policy & Advocacy Specialist,  Adolf Mavheneke said since the country participated in the formation of the Global HIV Prevention coalition attending all regional meetings, the HIV prevention roadmap has not been localized. What our specific advocacy asks against the…

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SAFAIDS To Set-Up CSE Anti-Opposition Task-force Team In Zimbabwe

THE Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS), is in the process of establishing a national Anti- Opposition committee for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Zimbabwe, as means to systematically counter opposition to towards (CSE). By Michael Gwarisa Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a curriculum-based process of participatory teaching and learning about aspects of sexuality aimed at equipping children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that empower them to realise their sexual and reproductive health well-being and rights; develop healthy interpersonal relationships; reflect on the…

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Zimbabwe Comprehensive Sexuality Education Implementers Can Ride On the Devolution Wave

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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O3 Annual Review Meeting kicks Off In South Africa

UNESCO’s flagship Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) programme Annual Review Meeting (ARM)  commenced in Johannesburg , South Africa on Wednesday, May 5 2021. By Michael Gwarisa in South Africa The O3 review meeting will be running for three days where UNESCO and its partners will review O3’s transformative results focusing on children, adolescents and young people. The O3 Programme which is being run in partnership with ministries of education and health, across 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa has already made significant strides despite its Compressive Sexuality Education (CSE)…

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Allow Adolescence To Access Contraceptives -Govt Urged

GOVERNMENT has been urged to set up legislation encouraging teenagers to gain access to contraceptives in order to mitigate the increase in teenage pregnancies which put young girls at higher risk of maternal death. Own Correspondent Recently, Health and Child Care Minister, Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga said girls under the age of 16 cannot be given contraceptives as they cannot legally consent to sexual activity. Speaking during a virtual meeting on Social Accountability and Oversight in the Implementation of SADC Regional Commitments in Health and Agriculture yesterday, Chairperson for the Parliamentary…

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Tanaka Adolescent Clinic, a huge milestone towards attaining SRHR equality

ACCESS to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) has been one of the topical issues raised on various platforms. Most Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe have been at forefront of advocating for equal access to SRHR as well as removing the age barriers to accessing services. By Patricia Mashiri recently in Rushinga Many young people from marginalised communities struggle to access SRHR services owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being the absence of youth friendly health facilities which offer young people centred services. As a result,…

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ART Adherence Critical Even During Lockdown- SAfAIDS

SOUTHERN Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) Sub Regional Head and Country Representative in South Africa,  Mr Ngoni Chibukire says adherence to lifesaving Antiretroviral drugs should be observed religiously despite the ongoing lockdowns. By Michael Gwarisa His calls come at the back of increased reports of cases whereby people living with HIV in most parts of the SADC region have been failing to access their ARVs during the lockdown period. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chibukire said the health needs of PLHIV have not changed because there…

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SafAids Partners Community Based Organisations To Find Test & Treat Children Living With HIV

IN an effort to put children who are HIV positive on treatment a regional HIV information dissemination organisation, Safaids, has partnered with Community Based Organisations in three provinces in the country to track the children and put them on treatment. By HealthTimes Reporter The intervention programme which is called Find Test and Treat the Missing 4 000 is being implemented in Bulawayo, Midlands and Mashonaland East Provinces. “We are complementing government efforts in terms of fighting HIV so that we get to Zero new infections and have an AIDS free…

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UNESCO In Regional Drive To Curb Early Unintended Pregnancies

Mr Masimba Nyamucheta UNESCO

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has embarked on a campaign to reduce cases of Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs) in Zimbabwe and other sub-Saharan countries, a move that is set to empower adolescent girls and young people to make informed decisions about their Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH). By Michael Gwarisa in Mazowe Through a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) and Save The Children, UNESCO has already kick-started various media engagements initiatives at a regional…

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Zim Progresses In Putting Abortion Act On National Agenda

ZIMBABWE is amongst  a few countries on the African continent which have made strides in discussing about the need to have a progressive Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOP) at a national level, a sign the country is warming up to the need of having an abortion friendly law, a sexual reproductive health official has said. By Michael Gwarisa At least 14 countries are having dialogue on the issue of Termination of Pregnancy but Zimbabwe seem to have moved a step further as compared to other countries which are currently at…

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