WAG Archives - HealthTimes

WAG Launches Four Months Long Campaign To Mark 40th Anniversary

July 12, 2023November 28, 2023 Ntokozo Gudu

The Women’s Action Group (WAG) this year celebrates 40 years of championing the feminist movement in Zimbabwe in their quest to advance women’s rights and end abuse of women and girls in all spheres. By Ntokozo Gudu To celebrate the four decades WAG launched a four-month campaign with this year’s celebrations themed “WAG@40: We move on”. Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Wednesday, WAG executive director Mrs Edinah Masiyiwa said they will continue to fight for the uplifting and respect of a woman’s dignity. The formation of WAG…

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Economic Challenges Derail National TB Response

March 30, 2022 Patricia Mashiri

THE country’s continued woes are taking the National Tuberculosis (TB) response off rails as many people are failing to access TB screening and testing services, resulting in them presenting late at health facilities. By Patricia Mashiri The country has been recently removed from the TB high burden risk country but it however remains one of the country with high TB drug resistance. Speaking during a TB media café, Mrs Edna Masiyiwa, Director Women Action Group (WAG) said lack of funding was one of the problems why people get late diagnosis…

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Time to Mainstream COVID-19 into GBV and Women’s Rights programing

February 10, 2022February 10, 2022 Healthtimes

In 2021, my nephew died of COVID-19. Just like so many relatives of more than 5,367 Zimbabweans[1] who have died during the nearly two-year pandemic, I was not able to participate in a funeral, wake, body viewing or funeral. These are all important rituals and I still feel sad when I think of how I not only lost him, but I also missed the chance to properly mourn him with loved ones. By Edinah Masiyiwa The pandemic and its outcomes have not only robbed us of our loved ones, but…

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#BREAKING: Police Arrest Bulawayo Couple For Aborting Pregnancy

October 2, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have arrested a Bulawayo woman (20) and her boyfriend (27) for unlawfully aborting a pregnancy which resulted in the lady discharging a foetus inside a plastic bucket. By Michael Gwarisa Through their official micro-blogging account, the ZRP said they were also looking for the doctor who assisted the couple in terminating the pregnancy. The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful termination of pregnancy in which a Bulawayo woman (20) conspired with her boyfriend (27) to terminate pregnancy. The two visited a private doctor who…

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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…

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WAG Uses The Safe-Engage Tool To Sensitize Nurses On Termination Of Pregnancy Act

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

WAG Executive Director Mrs Edinah Masiyiwa addresses the Zim Nurses Association at the sensitisation meeting

THE Women’s Action Group of Zimbabwe (WAG) is making use of the SAFE ENGAGE (Strengthening Evidence Based Policy to Expand Access to Safe Abortion) media tool to communicate the country’s illegal abortion scenario to various key stakeholders in a bid to raise awareness on Zimbabwe’s abortion situation as well as familiarize communities with the country’s Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOP). By Michael Gwarisa Amongst some of the groups that have benefited from WAG’s sensitization programs are Senators, Parliamentarians, traditional leaders, midwives and recently nurses. Speaking during a half day SAFE…

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Child Marriages and Teen Pregnancies: Twin Evils Widening Opportunities Gap Between Boys and Girls in Zimbabwe

April 2, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

Mashonaland Central Provincial Nursing Officer in the MoHCC, Anna Chinyemba

GROWING incidences of early marriages and Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs) that have also been exacerbated by the prevailing COVID-19 health emergency, have thrown girls and young women in an abyss of poverty, further making them vulnerable to various forms of abuse, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Bindura According to statistics, there have been increased cases of teenage pregnancies during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period in Zimbabwe owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being the alarming rates of…

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Zim’s Termination Of Pregnancy Act Anti Women- Women CSOs

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 Patricia Mashiri

ZIMBABWE’S Termination of Pregnancy ACT is not only archaic but takes away women’s body autonomy and power to make decisions about their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), women led Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have said. By Patricia Mashiri According CSOs, the country’s Termination of Pregnancy ACT is not inclusive but dictates circumstances and conditions under which the pregnancy of a woman may be terminated. Ms Ednah Masiyiwa, Executive Director Women Action Group said the Termination of pregnancy Act is non-operational and does not meet the needs of the…

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Time For Citizens To Demand Accountability To Ensure Attainment of Universal Health Coverage

December 12, 2020 Healthtimes

THE 12 of December is the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day which is celebrated worldwide. Combined with the closing of another year, this is a time to take stock of how far we have gone in reaching the UHC goals in Zimbabwe. By Edinah Masiyiwa According to the World Health Organisation UHC means that everyone who requires health care should get it and that people should afford the health care. This year’s UCH theme is “Health For All: Protect everyone.” We have a long way to go until we reach…

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Power Imbalances Continue To Drive Women Into Gender-Based Violence

November 28, 2020November 28, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

RESEARCH and reports show that about 94% of gender based violence cases reported between March to October 2020 were against women amidst indications that men still believe in gender norms and traditional harmful practices which usually lead into violation of women’s rights. By Paticia Mashiri There are mainly four forms of gender-based violence which include economic, sexual, physical and emotional abuse while poverty has been identified as a leading cause of GBV. Speaking at a GBV round table dialogue with women in the informal sector which was hosted by Women’s…

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