Op-ed for International Women’s Day: “Inspire Inclusion: Combating HIV, Advancing Rights”
By Jane KALWEO The world is significantly off course in meeting the gender targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the current pace, it will take an estimated 300 years to eradicate child marriage, 140 years to achieve equal representation of women in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47
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Why Zimbabwe Needs a Multidisciplinary and Inclusive Public Health Association
By: Enock Musungwini, MPH, MBA Public health associations play a crucial role in advocating for measures to improve the health and well-being of populations. They work collaboratively with governments, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders to address national and global health challenges. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe lacks a multidisciplinary public health association, which is a significant weakness
Read MoreTo protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights
By Jane KALWEO This Friday1 March 1is Zero Discrimination Day, established ten years ago by UNAIDS to protect the rights of everyone and build healthier societies. The evidence is clear: only by protecting everyone’s rights, can we protect everyone’s health. There is much to celebrate. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Read MorePower of Movement building in protecting women and girls against unsafe abortion: Op Ed
Mildred Mushunje, PhD The struggle for the recognition of women’s rights is one that has been fraught with backlash, including those arising out of patriarchal privileges and misogynistic ideals. Various movements including Feminist movements have risen to challenge these ideals. The movements have been multiverse and varied but they generally have the goal of addressing
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Join the Conversation! HIFA Launches Alcohol Use Disorders Working Group Discussions
Enock Musungwini, MPH; MBA According to the World Health Organization, alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people. Furthermore, harmful use of alcohol is responsible for 5.1% of the global burden of disease. Against this background, we are calling all
Read MoreZimbabwe Revision of Comprehensive Abortion Care Guidelines a positive step towards addressing high maternal morbidity and mortality
By Memory Pamella Kadau Zimbabwe’s recent revision of its Comprehensive Abortion Care Guidelines marks a significant step forward in addressing the persistent challenge of high maternal morbidity and mortality linked to complications of abortion (Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, 2023). Despite previous efforts, the burden remains evident, with abortion complications ranking as a
Read MoreWomen Organisations Should Prioritize Self-Care Programmes
By Edinha Masiyiwa In my 20 years of experience promoting and defending women’s rights, I have observed that many women, including myself, work without resting. It was only recently in December 2023 when I enrolled in a “How Women Lead” fellowship programme that I reflected on how much I have focused on work without paying
Read MoreHope on the Horizon for Zimbabwe as health Ministry Signs Comprehensive abortion Care Guidelines
By Edinah Masiyiwa The Acting Chief Director for Public Health, Dr W Nyamayaro, has signed off on the National Comprehensive Abortion Care (CA) Guidelines for Zimbabwe after more than a year waiting period. These guidelines follow the World Health Organisation’s Post Abortion Care Guidelines of 2022. These guidelines will go a long way in saving
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The hidden cost of inaction on menstrual poverty
By Theresa Nyava-Machadu In today’s modern world, it is disheartening to think that many girls and women still face significant barriers when it comes to managing their periods. Menstrual poverty, the lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and facilities, continues to plague communities across Zimbabwe. This silent crisis not only affects the physical
Read MoreReducing Unsafe Abortions through Family Planning
By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), family planning (FP) and comprehensive abortion care are part of primary health care (PHC), and the availability of these services is essential for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). However, lack of access to these services remains a big challenge across the world. Health
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