By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe records an estimated 70,000 illegal abortions annually, primarily due to restrictive abortion laws. Currently, abortion is only legal under limited circumstances, such as when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, results from rape or incest, or involves severe fetal impairment. Most women do not qualify under these conditions.
Other factors contributing to illegal abortions in Zimbabwe include stigma and cultural beliefs, unwanted and unintended pregnancies, economic hardship, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, rape and incest cases, fear of legal consequences, and pressure from partners or families.
Illegal abortion procedures have also been linked to the high number of maternal deaths Zimbabwe continues to record. According to Ministry of Health data, severe bleeding is the leading cause of maternal deaths, contributing 32%, while high blood pressure during pregnancy accounts for 19%. Infections are responsible for 11% of maternal deaths, and complications from delivery and unsafe abortions contribute 10%.
To address the high prevalence of unsafe abortions in Zimbabwe, the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), in collaboration with Community Champions for Safe Abortion, has eased referral pathways for girls and women who may have undergone unsafe abortions.
Champions from Chimanimani and Arda Transau in Manicaland province confirmed that they have assisted girls as young as 12 years old in accessing post-abortion care after unsafe pregnancy terminations.
Agnes Zingoni, a Village Health Worker and Community Health Champion for Safe Abortion from Arda Transau in Manicaland province, lamented the high rate of unsafe abortions, particularly among adolescent girls.
In the community where I come from, we have a very big problem related to unsafe abortions. Many times, we find that the procedures used to terminate pregnancies are dangerous and unsafe. Some girls use hangers, others use roots and herbs, which result in infections and, at times, premature deaths,” said Zingoni.
Although public health facilities in Zimbabwe are permitted to offer post-abortion care (PAC) to women and girls, many in rural communities are unaware of this service, leading to complications and, in some cases, fatalities.
“So when the girls use herbs, objects, roots, and hangers, infections occur. Many of the girls who seek help already exhibit signs of infection and experience discharge from their private parts. We then refer them to health facilities, but at times, it is too late.”
Public health facilities in Zimbabwe are ill-equipped to provide comprehensive PAC services, especially in rural areas, informal urban settlements, and mining and farming communities. In these areas, cases of repeat abortions are common.
Contributing Factors for Unsafe Abortions in Rural Manicaland
Manicaland province boasts one of Zimbabwe’s best climates, with some areas producing bountiful harvests annually. However, Chimanimani, Arda Transau, and Buhera districts continue to experience droughts and severe food insecurity, exposing many girls to sexual exploitation and early marriages.
“The biggest contributor to unsafe abortions is artisanal mining. Young girls are easily enticed by small things such as lollipops and gifts and end up falling pregnant for artisanal miners,” added Zingoni.
She further noted that financial constraints prevent young women and girls from accessing safe abortions, as the cost of abortion pills or procedures is prohibitive. A survey conducted by HealthTimes found that safe abortion procedures range from US$100 upwards, while the pill costs at least US$20—amounts that are unaffordable for most people in rural communities.
“At times, we end up borrowing money to help these girls access safe abortions from clinics that offer the service. In one instance, we had a 12-year-old girl seek assistance. We linked her to safe abortion services, but a few months later, she returned, pregnant again. This shows that young girls have a low perception of risk and need information.”
Food Aid as a Catalyst for Unintended Pregnancies and Unsafe Abortions in Manicaland
While most unsafe abortions in Zimbabwe occur among adolescents, single women, and sex workers, in Chimanimani, married women have reportedly fallen pregnant by male employees from food distribution non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in exchange for aid.
Ratidzai Zofa, a Community Health Champion for Safe Abortion from Chimanimani, said her situation was different, as she has dealt with adult married women who have undergone unsafe abortions.
“The problem started during Cyclone Idai, and it is still happening. When the cyclone hit, it was almost harvesting season, so we lost everything. However, food aid distribution prioritizes orphaned children and children in general, yet everyone is facing starvation and food insecurity at the household level. To navigate this, some married women in Chimanimani have traded their bodies for grain and fallen pregnant in the process. These are some of the women who have come to us seeking assistance after botched and unsafe abortions,” said Zofa.
Challenges Related to Unsafe Abortions in Mutare and Manicaland
Since abortion remains a taboo subject in Zimbabwe, the issue faces multiple challenges, including low acceptance, stigma, misinformation, and discrimination.
For Avoid Kaboni, who represents the whole of Mutare as a Community Safe Abortion Champion, the challenges surrounding safe abortions are numerous, and there is a need to sensitize communities on the issue.
“First, you find that sex workers are one of the biggest groups that have abortions, and that alone brings a lot of stigma to the issue. Secondly, women and girls are not always sincere when they seek assistance, making it difficult to help them or determine the care they need. For example, a woman or girl may come forward and provide false information about her pregnancy, such as lying about how far along she is, which can lead to complications,” said Kaboni.
She added that communities need to be equipped with accurate information on safe abortion, as there is still a lack of understanding regarding its benefits.
“There is a lot of misinformation surrounding abortion, and many people do not understand that unsafe abortions pose serious risks to women’s health. We need to educate our communities on the importance of providing safe options to prevent unnecessary deaths.”
Zimbabwe continues to grapple with high numbers of unsafe abortions due to restrictive laws, economic challenges, and societal stigma. Strengthening community awareness, increasing access to post-abortion care, and ensuring the availability of safe abortion services could help reduce maternal deaths and health complications associated with unsafe abortion practices.
