By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe has launched the Contraceptive Acceptability Research (CARE), a pioneering study that will assess the acceptability, feasibility, and uptake of the Annovera contraceptive ring among women and adolescent girls in the country.
The study, introduced this week, marks a significant step towards enhancing access to a wider range of contraceptive options, aligning with both national and global goals to empower women and girls to take greater control of their sexual and reproductive health.
The Annovera ring is a user-controlled, long-acting, and reversible contraceptive method. Designed for use in the privacy of one’s home, it requires minimal clinical intervention, offering an innovative self-care solution—especially for adolescent girls and young women who often face social, cultural, and logistical barriers to accessing family planning services.
Speaking at the launch, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Director Technical Services, Ms. Mercy Marimirofa, praised the country’s leadership role in reproductive health innovation.
- We are especially proud as Zimbabwe to be among the first countries in Africa to conduct a trial of this nature,” said Ms. Marimirofa.
“This not only demonstrates our commitment to evidence-based programming but also positions Zimbabwe as a leader on the continent in embracing and testing self-care technologies.”
The CARE study is being conducted in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and other global partners.
Advocates believe the Annovera ring’s discreet nature and year-long efficacy could significantly increase contraceptive uptake and continuity, particularly among groups with limited access to clinics or stigma-related concerns.
