safe abortion Archives

Challenging Online Post-Abortion Stigma in Zimbabwe: Advocating for Compassion

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Introduction The discourse surrounding abortion remains a contentious and divisive topic worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception to the complexities that surround it. Recognising that the decision to undergo an abortion is deeply personal and multifaceted, individuals navigate this choice for various reasons. The subject is often marred by misinformation, disinformation, and pervasive stigma, posing significant hurdles for those seeking safe and reproductive healthcare. The social media space in Zimbabwe has become toxic toward young girls and women who undergo abortions. This editorial delves into the…

0 Shares

Role of Guidelines in Reducing Unsafe Abortions

November 20, 2023 Dr Munyaradzi Murwirwa

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to World Health Organisation (WHO), six out of 10 unintended pregnancies end up in induced abortions, with 45 percent of all abortions estimated to be unsafe globally. Thus, strengthening access to comprehensive abortion care (CAC) within the health care system is fundamental to meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to good health and wellbeing, and gender equality. In 2022, the WHO launched the new Abortion Care Guidelines to provide guidance for provision of comprehensive abortion care services (CAC) globally. Priority aspects of the…

0 Shares

Pro safe-abortion advocates engage the clergy

October 3, 2022 Kuda Pembere

It is about time religious leaders change their mindset towards safe abortion given their great influence in communities which could help save many lives lost to dangerous and unsafe abortion practises. By Kuda Pembere This was said during the International Safe Abortion Day commemorations held on Friday. Organisations in the consortium which commemorated the International Day of Safe Abortion included SheDecides, Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), SafAIDS with support from Swedish Embassy. The International Safe Abortion Day is marked every 28 September. It emerged from documentaries from PSZ and Katswe Sistahood…

0 Shares

Abortion policy and the vicious cycle of poverty

September 19, 2022September 19, 2022 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau The previous instalment submitted that abortion doesn’t bring about a moral dilemma as middle ground propagation would argue. It’s clear that safe abortion services should be made accessible to women and this demands policy and legal reforms. This article explored how existing policy framework on abortion perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty on women and fuels child sexual abuse termed ‘child marriages’. Abortion and poverty Poverty wears the face of a woman and the untold story is that hundreds of thousands of women are trapped in…

0 Shares

WHO issues new guidelines on abortion to help countries deliver lifesaving care

March 9, 2022 Healthtimes

Access to safe abortion critical for health of women and girls: WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing new guidelines on abortion care today, in a bid to protect the health of women and girls and help prevent over 25 million unsafe abortions that currently occur each year. “Being able to obtain safe abortion is a crucial part of health care,” said Craig Lissner, acting Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO. “Nearly every death and injury that results from unsafe abortion is entirely preventable. That’s…

0 Shares

Unsafe abortions lead to immediate and long term complications

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

COMPLICATIONS arising from post unsafe abortion infections could have long term implications on the fertility of women due to the unsterile nature of the environments and objects used during unsafe abortions procedures, a local Obstetrician and Gynecologist has warned. . By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, Dr Grant Murewanhema an Obstetrician and Gynecologist said unsafe abortions were happening and unfortunately they were they were among the leading cause of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe. When you look at it just in the immediate short term after this act has been…

0 Shares

Access To Safe Abortion Care Is A Health Need

September 14, 2021 Healthtimes

Recently, two bodies of newly born babies were found in a bin in Harare.[1] Due to a lack of accessible contraceptives during COVID-19, 5000 girls were reported to have fallen pregnant in January alone,[2] and sadly, the abandonment of unwanted babies is one of the outcomes. Unsafe abortions are another. The reality is, this could just be a tip of the iceberg of what is happening to women and girls as a result of their inability to access contraceptives. By Edinah Masiyiwa As the COVID-19 epidemic rages on, the health…

0 Shares

Zim Still Stuck With Archaic Termination Of Pregnancy Law

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE this week joined the rest of the world in commemorating the Safe Abortions day albeit the country is still operating under a 43-year-old Termination of Pregnancy ACT which prevents women from accessing safe abortion at health institutions even though evidence suggests that majority of the country’s maternal deaths are as a result of haemorrhaging due to unsafe abortions, a legal expert has said. By Michael Gwarisa The country’s existing Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOP ACT V (No. 29 of 1977) was adopted in 1977 and only permits women to…

0 Shares

WAG Sensitizes Traditional Leaders and Senators on the Termination of Pregnancy Act

July 21, 2020July 22, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

Women’s Action Group (WAG) today held a half day long workshop with Chiefs and Senators from various constituencies in the country with the aim of familiarizing them with the country’s Termination of Pregnancy Act (ToP) and access to various sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for women. By Michael Gwarisa The sensitization meeting is part of ongoing engagements with key opinion leaders with the aim of creating a conducive policy environment that supports equitable access for women and girls to comprehensive prevention and treatment services-contraception, safe termination of…

Share28

28 Shares

Safaids Rolls Out Safe Abortion Campaign

May 31, 2019 Healthtimes

SAFAIDS has intensified efforts to promote safe abortions in the SADC region under a three year campaign dubbed “My Choice our choice”. By HealthTimes Correspondent The campaign comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s abortion rate stands at 18% as most women carry out unsafe terminations owing to the restrictive abortion laws in the country. Speaking on the sidelines of the Launch workshop held in Harare, Safaids executive director Lois Chingandu said the campaign will also underscore the right of women to take control of their sexual and reproductive health. “The…

Share40

40 Shares