Africa’s commitment to upholding SRHR needs more action than words

AFRICAN leaders have been commended for committing to international and regional conventions to uphold sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) although much needs to be done regarding coherent service provision policies between Health and Education ministries. By Kuda Pembere in Zambia This was said by Zambian SRHR expert Mr Lester Phiri recently in an interview with journalists during a Values Clarification and Attitude Clarification (VCAT) training of journalists in Zambia. The training was organized by HIVOS. “So the very fact that our governments have made these commitments towards improving the…

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A Well-Resourced Health System Essential For Zimbabwe to Attain Reproductive Justice

By Edinah Masiyiwa, Executive Director Women’s Action Group Attending a recent workshop organized by the Community Working Group on Health on “reproductive justice” reminded me how much the core values of reproductive justice are being violated in Zimbabwe and how much we need to protect girls and young women from injustice. The term reproductive justice has a history in feminist ideology and has three core values: the right to have a child, the right to not have a child, and the right to parent a child or children in safe…

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MSF Holds Regional Scientific Day in Zimbabwe

THE Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hosted a half-day regional scientific day in Harare, Zimbabwe where various scientific innovations and researches from MSF’s field programs around the world were presented. By Michael Gwarisa The event was a hybrid setup where delegates attended both virtually and physically in Harare. Giving his Keynote address, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Group Captain, Dr. Munyaradzi Dobbie, Chief Director Public Health applauded MSF’s interventions in Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector. As government, we are appreciative of MSF’s continued support to Zimbabwe and…

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Curtain comes down on Regional SRHR Symposium…As Sweden Assesses New Funding Proposal For 2gether4SRHR Program

THE three day Regional Symposium on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR),has come to an end amidst growing calls for increased investment and creation of an enabling policy framework that allows for the smooth implementation of SRHR programs in the East and Southern African region (ESAR). By Michael Gwarisa in Victoria Falls The symposium was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and organized by UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4 SRHR Programme. Over 200 delegates from across 24…

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All set for Inaugural Zim Reproductive Health Arts festival

SAYWHAT, a youth and student centered organisation which works around sexual reproductive health (SRH) says they are ready to host the creative Reproductive health arts for transformation (CRAFT) festival on the 22nd of October 2022 in Harare. By Patricia Mashiri The CRAFT  is a national event that brings together winners of The CHASE competition drawn from all provinces around Zimbabwe. Its participants are first position winners in poetry, drama, music and public speaking. A total of 36 winners from across provinces will be participating at the festival. Running under the…

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Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Symposium Kicks-off In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

OVER 20 African countries are gathered in the resort town of Victoria Falls to deliberate on issues around access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people with the aim of finding a lasting solution to teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV infections in East and Southern Africa. By Michael Gwarisa in Victoria Falls The three day regional symposium which will run up to Thursday, October 13, 2022  has been organized by the  UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4…

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Comprehensive Post Abortion Care is an Essential Component of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Critical for the Attainment of Health Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In my years of experience working in sexual reproductive health (SRH), the most topical debates include the topics of unintended pregnancies, teenage pregnancies, sexual gender based violence (SGBV), and abortion among others. Termination of Pregnancy (abortion) is one of the most controversial and emotive issues across the social realm in a conservative society like Zimbabwe. The main thrust of social-cultural discussions in sexual reproductive health is around prevention of unintended pregnancies thus avoiding the topic of abortion completely. However, the dilemma is when prevention fails, what happens next? The Zimbabwe…

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Hivos’ Program Expands SRHR Services To Street Children and Vulnerable Groups

THE Consent2Access Campaign, an advocacy initiative on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) being implemented by Hivos and its partners across Eastern and Southern Africa, has gone a step further by extending services to groups of adolescents and young people that are usually left out in a number of health programs. By Michael Gwarisa The program is being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the regional SRH Funds Advocacy campaign aimed at promoting progressive laws, policies and practices that can ensure adolescent and young people access…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe calls for support to ensure young people reach their full potential

Harare, 12 August, 2022 – On the International Youth Day the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe and partners have called for greater support to ensure young people reach their full potential by making critical investments in their health, education and well-being. By Staff Reporter The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. In Zimbabwe, adolescents and youth are experiencing adverse life outcomes, including unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and school dropouts. Early and teenage pregnancy have major…

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Youth Engage takes global AIDS strategy to grassroots

Youth Engage Zimbabwe, a  grassroots youth organization that advocates for the health, well-being and human rights of all young people  with the support of UNAIDS, has embarked on country-wide youth dialogues in an effort to  prompt the policy makers to do well on their promise in terms of health service delivery, allocation of funds and prioritization of beneficiaries. By Patricia Mashiri The dialogues are focusing on building evidence-based submissions on key asks, solutions, and priorities that will address gaps at a local grassroots level on HIV/ AIDS, Sexual Gender Based…

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