By Kuda Pembere
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and rights for adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe.
ZNFPC’s Director of Technical Services, Mercy Marimirofa, stated during the signing ceremony that the MoU would enable the two organizations to share research findings and address challenges faced by young people in accessing SRH services. The collaboration will also focus on developing digital interventions for SRH, mental health, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) using ZNFPC Studios, SAYWHAT’s Studio of Choice, and the SAYWHAT Smart Learners Hub.
So, I’ll just give a brief on the roles of ZNFPC as enshrined in the MoU,” said Marimirofa. “We will conduct outreach activities with SAYWHAT, provide SRH services to clients referred by SAYWHAT, and offer technical support and resources for SAYWHAT-led activities related to contraceptive use and SRH services.
“We will share job aids and tools used in SRH programming, including Preconception Care (PCC), SRH, and CSE manuals, as well as Information, Education, and Communication materials to enhance the knowledge of young people in tertiary institutions. Additionally, we will train service providers, SAYWHAT staff, and peer educators in youth-friendly service provision and mobilize adolescent girls and boys, as well as young women and men, including key populations, to access services where SAYWHAT operates.”
ZNFPC Chief Executive Officer, Farai Machinga, emphasized that the MoU also addresses drug and substance abuse issues, with call centers collaborating to refer clients to SRH services.
“In terms of complementarity, I am happy that most of SAYWHAT’s activities align with ZNFPC’s focus areas,” said Machinga. “The main purpose of this MoU is to ensure we collaborate towards achieving our shared goal. We are serving the same clients, the same communities, and working to improve their health and welfare.
“As providers and consumers of these services, we must prioritize our own health to deliver quality care. Through referrals, we aim to complement each other to reduce missed opportunities.”
Machinga noted that the country has reduced teenage pregnancies to 23% as of 2024.
“For 2023 to 2024, we celebrate a significant achievement—a 1% reduction in teenage pregnancies. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to reach our target of 12%, down from the current 23%. Additionally, we strive to reduce the incidence of STIs, including HIV, and halt their further spread,” he said. He added that ZNFPC is working on introducing a research symposium on family planning.
SAYWHAT Executive Director Jimmy Wilford, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the organization’s Head of Programs, Dorcas Chikorova, said the MoU reflected the shared vision and commitment of both organizations to ensure young people in Zimbabwe have access to comprehensive family planning services.
“Over the years, SAYWHAT and ZNFPC have worked hand in hand to provide accurate, quality information on family planning and contraception to young people,” said Wilford. “Our collaboration has seen us organize health fairs, agricultural college sports galas, and creative health arts festivals. These activities have aimed to generate demand for family planning services and ensure their accessibility.”
Wilford also expressed concern about the potential global impact of Donald Trump’s re-ascension to the U.S. presidency.
