HealthTimes

School children standing in a queue outdoors in Gwanda, Zimbabwe
OP ED Opinion & Analysis

Making Child Protection Services More Child-Friendly in Zimbabwe

healthTimesco

Tanaka Musungwini Child protection systems are designed to safeguard children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. In Zimbabwe, notable progress has been made through structures such as the National Case Management System (NCMS), Childline Zimbabwe, and community-based child protection committees. However, while these systems are functional, they are often protection-focused rather than child-sensitive, meaning they

Read More
PARL
Child & Adolescent Health OP ED Opinion & Analysis

View Once! About Time Zimbabwe Issues a Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Michael Gwarisa

Michael Gwarisa The advent of social media has brought with it numerous opportunities, mostly for young and middle-aged people across the globe. Unlike in previous decades when employment meant sitting behind a desk or sweating it out at a construction site or manufacturing firm, today all one needs is a smartphone, a computer, or a

Read More
Cover Image 2
Non Communicable Disease OP ED

World Cancer Day 2026: Africa Should Emulate Sweden’s Proven Blueprint to Reduce Smoking-Related Cancer

healthTimesco

Joseph Magero Due to declining smoking rates, Sweden has the lowest mortality from all cancers among men in the EU and an overall cancer incidence that is 41% lower than the EU average, offering a stark contrast to Africa. Across Africa, smoking-related diseases continue to place a heavy burden on public health systems, with cancer

Read More
A symbolic respectful illustration of a woman standing alone in a quiet clinic hallway soft lighting muted colors serious tone human rights editorial style no graphic content
OP ED Opinion & Analysis Safe Abortion

No Woman Dreams of Motherhood Born of Violence

healthTimesco

By Maceline Mukwamba, Director, Adult Rape Clinic By the time a girl or woman gathers the courage to report rape, the clock has often already worked against her. Research in Zimbabwean communities finds that the majority of sexual abuse goes unreported, with cultural norms, fear of stigma, and protective attitudes toward perpetrators cited as major

Read More
teenage pregnancy 1
OP ED Safe Abortion

Teen Pregnancies Are Not Recklessness. They Are a Sign of Silence, Stigma, and System Failure

healthTimesco

Mildred Mushunje and Dean Mutata Why Zimbabwe must urgently invest in youth reproductive health and safe abortion care to unlock its demographic dividend Sub-Saharan Africa is recorded as having one of the world’s youngest populations, and Zimbabwe is a striking example. With adolescents and young people constituting roughly 60%–62% of the population, the country is

Read More
Masiyiwa Edinah AIH2019 1
OP ED REPRODUCTIVE SRHR

Why Reforming the Termination of Pregnancy Act Can No Longer Wait

healthTimesco

By Edinah Masiyiwa I have been closely following recent developments on access to safe abortion for women and girls in Zimbabwe. As I reflect on the Women’s Action Group’s (WAG) campaign on safe abortion in the early 1990s, I am encouraged by how far the country has come on this issue. When WAG advocated for

Read More
MENTAL HEALTH OP ED

Gambling: The New Mental Health Crisis Stalking Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Method Moyo (Counselling Psychology Intern) Gambling, while often viewed as a form of entertainment, can lead to addiction and devastating consequences. Take, for example, Tawanda (not his real name), a 32-year-old man from the Makoni area of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Initially a promising professional, Tawanda’s casual gambling evolved into a compulsive behavior fueled by cognitive

Read More
Features Health News MENTAL HEALTH OP ED

The silent weight of love – a mother’s journey raising a child with disability

Michael Gwarisa

Abstract The birth of a child with a disability presents significant psychological challenges for mothers, often resulting in heightened emotional distress, including grief, depression, and anxiety. Mothers raising children with disabilities often bear a profound, yet silent, emotional and physical burden.  This article reviews the psychological effects experienced by these mothers, identifies contributing factors, and

Read More
MENTAL HEALTH OP ED

Navigating the Midlife Crisis: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health and Strategies for Resilience

Michael Gwarisa

By Method Moyo Tariro and Blessing (pseudonyms) have been married for over twenty years. From the outside, they appear settled with two grown children, a modest home in Kwekwe, and years of shared memories. However, inside their quiet house, a storm brews. As the Shona proverb says, “Chakafukidza dzimba matenga.” Tariro, now 47, feels invisible.

Read More
OP ED Opinion & Analysis

Navigating the Midlife Crisis: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health and Strategies for Resilience

healthTimesco

By Method Moyo Tariro and Blessing (pseudonyms) have been married for over twenty years. From the outside, they appear settled with two grown children, a modest home in Kwekwe, and years of shared memories. However, inside their quiet house, a storm brews. As the Shona proverb says, “Chakafukidza dzimba matenga.” Tariro, now 47, feels invisible. Her days are

Read More