By Kuda Pembere
Despite being heavily engaged in the geopolitical conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Sweden says it remains steadfast in supporting Zimbabwe’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) initiatives, as well as drug and substance abuse programs.
This assurance was given by the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Dag Sundelin, during an interview with the press on the sidelines of National Sweden Day last week.
“We haven’t changed at all when it comes to our priorities on SRHR. So, it’s still gender equality and everybody’s right. Everybody has a right to decide for herself or himself, and SRHR is in the middle of that. That is why Sweden hasn’t changed at all when it comes to that,” he said.
Sundelin emphasized the importance of ensuring SRHR services are accessible, particularly for women and girls in Zimbabwe.
“We think that every woman has the right to decide her own future and over her own body. That includes access to safe abortion, the right to decide whether you want to become pregnant or not, and the right to consent to sex — whether you are a man or a woman, young or adult. So, same position,” he said.
He noted that Sweden has been supporting various organizations to implement SRHR services and combat drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe. These include Population Solutions for Health (PSH) and Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), among others.
“Yes, well, here in Zimbabwe we are supporting PSH, and they are working on a program addressing drug and substance abuse. But also, other programs like Sustainable Cities with UN-Habitat and the Zimbabwe Sunshine Group. They work with an organization called Sober Life, which focuses on creating alternatives to drugs and substance abuse — a life without drugs. These are just two examples of how we support them,” Sundelin said.
On the issue of development funding, Sundelin dismissed concerns that support might be reduced due to global challenges.
“No, it’s about the same as before. We’re not cutting down in that area. We still consider Habitat a very, very important area of our development cooperation and of what Sweden really stands up for,” he said.
He added that Sweden has allocated US$25 million in grant funding this year toward various programs in Zimbabwe, including SRHR and drug and substance abuse initiatives.
“So, I think it’s about the same as before. I don’t know the exact figure now, but generally for bilateral support to Zimbabwe this year, we have US$25 million in grant funding. We also have strategies at regional and global levels that benefit Zimbabwe. For example, there’s a regional strategy on SRHR and global strategies run directly from Sweden. When you add up bilateral, regional, and global support, Sweden is quite a big donor in SRHR. Our funding supports democracy, human rights, SRHR, the environment, climate, and inclusive economic development,” he added.
Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lingarde, also addressed attendees at the celebrations, underscoring Sweden’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
“Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war on Ukraine continues. Support to Ukraine is the Swedish government’s top foreign policy priority. For Sweden, support to Ukraine is a moral obligation and an indispensable investment in Europe’s — and by extension our own — security, independence, and future. Sweden will support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” he said.
Lingarde also raised concerns about Zimbabwe’s Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Act, describing it as a setback in governance reforms.
“With more added value locally, there will be new and more jobs, technology, and collaborations contributing to sustainability and inclusive economic growth. But more importantly, progress is needed on the debt arrears clearance process,” he said.
“Sweden regards this as the most important dialogue platform today. We welcome the significant progress made on economic reforms and compensation for former farm owners. A timely conclusion of a Staff-Monitored Program would be another significant milestone, indicating the government’s commitment to a robust reform agenda.
“However, we would have liked to see more progress on several governance indicators. The adoption of the PVO Act was, in our view, a setback. Progress across all three pillars — economic, governance, and land reform — is essential for the arrears clearance process to lead to multilateral and bilateral debt relief that the government seeks and we all hope for.
“Only then can Zimbabwe’s transformation gain the necessary momentum through access to concessional financing that boosts growth and development,” Lingarde said.
In response, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, defended the PVO Act, saying it is aimed at preventing financial crimes.
