By Michael Gwarisa
The Value Clarification and Attitudes Transformation (VCAT) training is a powerful tool that can help strengthen advocacy for abortion rights in Zimbabwe. By engaging journalists in critical discussions about the legal, cultural, and religious frameworks surrounding abortion, VCAT equips media professionals with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to report on the subject effectively.
Zimbabwe’s Termination of Pregnancy Act (ToP) of 1977 is restrictive, allowing abortion only in specific circumstances, and many journalists have historically lacked the understanding to cover the topic accurately and sensitively. This knowledge gap has contributed to misinformation, stigma, and limited public discourse on the necessity of safe abortion services.
By participating in VCAT trainings, journalists can challenge their own biases and expand their understanding of abortion as a public health and human rights issue. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions, influencing policy discussions, and holding authorities accountable. As such, empowering journalists with factual, balanced, and nuanced reporting skills can contribute significantly to destigmatising abortion and advocating for broader reproductive rights reforms in Zimbabwe.
One of the journalists who benefited from the training is Glenda Takachicha, a veteran broadcaster with experience spanning two decades. Despite her extensive career in radio, Glenda had minimal knowledge of the ToP Act before attending the week-long VCAT training in 2024.
Before the training, I had not reported on abortion, and I only knew of one of the circumstances in which termination is allowed by law,” said Glenda during an interview with HealthTimes.
“I am now aware that abortion in Zimbabwe is allowed under three circumstances: if the pregnancy was due to rape or incest, if the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, or if the fetus has serious deformities.”
Glenda emphasised that the VCAT training reminded her of the media’s role in setting the agenda for public discourse and shifting societal attitudes regarding abortion and other sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) issues. She also noted that the training connected her with key experts who can help her package a comprehensive radio program on abortion.
Another journalist who underwent a transformation through the VCAT training is Daniel Tonderai Muzana, a top broadcaster from Radio Zimbabwe. He admitted that before attending the workshop, his reporting on abortion had been influenced by his personal biases and a limited understanding of the law.
“Before the VCAT training, I had just a shallow knowledge of the ToP Act. The training gave me a broader and deeper understanding of this law. Yes, I had reported on abortion before, but mainly on unsafe abortion, using a sensational approach that I now regret because it was unethical,” said Muzana.
Since completing the training, Muzana has made a concerted effort to improve his coverage of abortion issues. He has hosted radio shows featuring legal and clinical experts to discuss abortion as a public health matter, helping to dispel myths and misinformation.
Women’s rights and SRHR advocates have long called for reforms to the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977, arguing that it is outdated and fails to address the realities of unsafe abortion in Zimbabwe. Speaking on the sidelines of the VCAT training in Mazvikadei, Women’s Action Group Executive Director, Mrs. Edinha Masiiwa, stressed the importance of equipping journalists with accurate information.
“The aim was to sensitize journalists on the issue of abortion in Zimbabwe. We conducted a Values Clarification Attitudes Transformation exercise, where they went through multiple exercises to critically examine their attitudes toward access to safe abortion,” said Mrs. Masiiwa.
The training also highlighted the restrictive nature of the ToP Act and the growing calls for its amendment. Many stakeholders, including members of parliament, have expressed the urgent need to expand the legal grounds for abortion in Zimbabwe to reduce unsafe abortion-related deaths and complications.
Hwange Central Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Daniel Molokele, underscored the importance of broadening access to safe abortion.
“We are dealing with an urgent and topical issue right now, which is the need to completely overhaul the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977. It’s a very old law, and it’s outdated. We need to overhaul it to broaden the scope so that people can access safe abortions,” said Hon. Molokele.
Call to Action
As Zimbabwe grapples with the consequences of restrictive abortion laws, there is a need for sustained advocacy and media engagement to push for policy reforms. Journalists who have undergone VCAT training should continue using their platforms to foster informed discussions, challenge stigma, and hold policymakers accountable. Additionally, civil society organizations, lawmakers, and health professionals must collaborate to ensure access to comprehensive reproductive health services, including safe abortion. The call is clear: Zimbabwe must modernize its abortion laws to protect the health and rights of women and girls.
