Child protection and access to safe abortion
By Memory Pamella Kadau In the past few weeks, two unrelated developments have captured media attention and triggered thoughts about safe abortion and child protection. The first development was the lawsuit filed by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), challenging the validity of some sections of the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Act. The second
Read MoreUNFPA Zimbabwe Hands Over 19 Vehicles To Strategic Partners
By Kuda Pembere The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has handed over 19 vehicles to its partners to enable them to do their work in reaching out to vulnerable populations as well as the youth. The handing over of these vehicles is part of its five year program cycle where they get vehicles for partners
Read MoreMaking abortion safe: Reflections from SRHR Champions from Zimbabwe:
By Mildred Mushunje (PhD) Introduction Access to safe abortion remains a contenscious issue for activists keen to see the liberalisation of abortion in Zimbabwe. Currently, the 1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act allows for an abortion under the restricted circumstances of rape, incest and health (ToP, 1977). There are various advocacy efforts underway in the country
Read MoreLeveraging Private Sector to Reduce Unsafe Abortions
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
Read MoreKey highlights of Zimbabwe’s CAC guidelines and next steps
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
Read MoreZimbabwe Kicks Off Women’s Month with Launch of Every Stage of Woman Campaign
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
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
Read MoreZimbabwe Launches Women at the Center Project To Ease GBV Case Management and Referral Pathways
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
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
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