REPRODUCTIVE Archives - Page 2 of 25

Leveraging Private Sector to Reduce Unsafe Abortions

March 19, 2024 Dr Munyaradzi Murwirwa

Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Due to the restrictive abortion laws in Zimbabwe, both medical and non-medical individuals clandestinely perform most of the abortions. Legal and administrative barriers coupled with stigma among both women and health service providers, and fear of social repercussions as well as risking imprisonment are barriers to access legal abortion in Zimbabwe. The legal termination of pregnancy is performed only in public health facilities at district, provincial and central hospitals, after authorisation from the magistrate. Rather than reduce abortion incidence, the restrictive abortion laws result in women pursuing…

Key highlights of Zimbabwe’s CAC guidelines and next steps

March 8, 2024 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Introduction Zimbabwe’s recently updated and adopted Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) Guidelines. However, the legal framework remains the biggest stumbling block to access to safe abortion under the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Act. The article focuses on key aspects of the CAC guidelines, such as consent and counselling, medical eligibility for post-abortion care, infection prevention and control strategies, and standard precautions. Additionally, the article suggests advocacy initiatives that are necessary to facilitate the effective implementation of these guidelines, thereby enhancing abortion care and supporting women’s bodily autonomy.…

Zimbabwe Kicks Off Women’s Month with Launch of Every Stage of Woman Campaign

March 1, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Minister of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday presided over the launch of Women’s Month which also coincided with the Every Stage of Woman Campaign, a programme that focuses on the reproductive stages of the woman from menstruation to menopause, from adolescents to menopause. The Every Stage of Woman” Campaign is a Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) program being supported by the Embassy of Sweden in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day commemoration running under the theme; “Invest in Women: Accelerate…

Power of Movement building in protecting women and girls against unsafe abortion: Op Ed

February 28, 2024 Mildred Mushunje

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 women’s gender subordination, the roots of women’s oppression, how gender inequality is perpetuated, and offer differing remedies for gender inequality. Such movements have also found expression in instruments such as The Convention on the Elimination…

Zimbabwe Launches Women at the Center Project To Ease GBV Case Management and Referral Pathways

February 27, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Women Affairs Community, and Small and Medium Enterprise Development in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), have launched the Women at the Centre Project that focuses on providing increased support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) through quality case management. Japanese Pharmaceutical Company Takeda is supporting the project and its being implemented over four years. Zimbabwe is one of five countries that are part of this project. The other countries are Indonesia, El Salvador, Azerbaijan and…

Zimbabwe Revision of Comprehensive Abortion Care Guidelines a positive step towards addressing high maternal morbidity and mortality

February 26, 2024 Memory Kadau

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 major cause of maternal deaths in both rural and urban settings, according to a community-based study conducted by the Zimbabwe National Health Department (Zimbabwe National Health Department, 2022). This study further revealed that abortion complications…

Wearing Tight-Fitting Pants Increases Risk of Infertility in Men- Zim Doctor Warns

February 19, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Tight underwear, boxers or pants generate so much heat that could literary overheat the sperm and compromise sperm quality, a top Obstetrician and researcher, has warned. His warning comes in the wake of evidence of a notable increase in the prevalence of infertility in men over the years, amid a growing fashion trend where slim-fit or tight-fitting clothes have become trendy. Data from a cross-section study by Dr Mugove Madziyire et al which explored “The causes of infertility in women presenting to gynecology clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe”…

Albert Nyathi, Adiona Chidzonga Appointed Family Planning Brand Ambassadors

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Renowned poet and musician Albert Nyathi and Songstress, Adiona Chidzonga, have been re-appointed brand ambassadors for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in a move that is set to boost the uptake of Family planning services in Zimbabwe. Nyathi and Adiona’s contracts will run for one year with the possibility of renewal. Adiona’s role as ZNFPC brand ambassador commenced in 2018 and the council has been renewing it over years. Nyathi’s role involves being a Male Motivator, whose sole mandate is to raise awareness on Family…

MOZAMBIQUE: MSF expands access to safe abortion care in Beira

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Health Reporter Tuesday, January 23, 2024 — In Beira, a city on Mozambique’s central coast, Doctors Without Borders/MSF is connecting hard-to-reach communities with safe abortion care and other sexual and reproductive health services. Mozambique has one of Africa’s most liberal abortion laws, allowing abortion on request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in limited circumstances, including fetal abnormality. Though abortion has been legal since 2014, many people still face obstacles to accessing this care, including stigma, misinformation, and corruption, such as charging for…