By CATHERINE MUROMBEDZI
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
SHE & Rights is a global initiative set and led by concerned global citizens to raise awareness on the bottlenecks of sexual reproductive health and rights for girls and young women.
She & Rights holds webnairs, bringing together global experts to tackle the pressing challenges surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for young people. The fora highlights the persistent barriers that limit access to education and healthcare, particularly for marginalised youth.
Mirroring the challenges in Asia, Zimbabwe is the flip side of the coin.
According to UNICEF, adolescent girls in Zimbabwe are at greater risk of early marriage and motherhood, which limits their educational and economic opportunities.
Gender inequality remains a barrier.
Health delivery in some rural communities is slightly better served by mission hospitals. The subsidized health care is not as costly compared to town clinics. Many urbanites trek to rural facilities, Driefointein in Mvuma, St Paul’s Hospital in Mutoko, with Karanda Mission Hospital in Mashonaland Central Province being a centre of excellence and a beckon of hope. Patients travel from all the provinces seeking better health services at mission hospitals. However, the long distances that patients cover have catastrophic costs, hence becoming a barrier.
Young people are required to be accompanied by adults to access health services. The legal age of the majority act (LAMA) is 18. Teenagers under 18 require parental consent to access the SRHR services. This then becomes a barrier to the sexually active youth. Teenage pregnancies among teenage counterparts are noted. This ends up with a child having their own child. The poverty cycle worsens for those who drop out of school. In Zimbabwe, girls are encouraged to return to school after giving birth. However, there is no special assistance. If one’s family is not able to shoulder the burden of baby support while the mom attends school, then one becomes a drop-out. Education is a foundation of life. Without education, the future is bleak.
Period poverty impacts negatively on school going girls who miss school during their flows.
Menstrual poverty is a harsh reality for many young girls in Zimbabwe. Crystal Bonzo, a renowned SRHR advocate, is tackling this issue through her Dzidzo SafePad Initiative. This programme trains girls and women from underprivileged backgrounds to make their own reusable sanitary pads.
“Teaching girls how to make their own sanitary pads is a sustainable game-changer,” said Crystal Bonzo.
“It’s part of the solution to mitigating period poverty. When girls involuntarily miss school because they have their period, they forfeit their right to education, which in the long run contributes to gender inequalities,” said Bonzo.
Since 2022, Dzidzo SafePad has trained over 400 girls and distributed over 800 reusable pads. By empowering girls with knowledge and skills, Dzidzo SafePad is helping to break the cycle of period poverty.
To mitigate teenage pregnancies, which have become a pressing concern UNFPA and partners in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), launched a programme in 2024. With 21% of antenatal care bookings attributed to adolescents aged 10-19 years, the programme is meant to ease the plight. The alarming trend has led to the launch of the “Not in my village” campaign, a community-driven initiative aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
The UNFPA supported campaign has gained momentum in Mashonaland Central, where 26 chiefs have developed by-laws to curb teenage pregnancies. These by-laws outline individual, family, and community actions to safeguard young girls and ensure they complete their education.
During the launch in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province last year, UNFPA Country Representative Miranda Tabifor emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:
“Teenage pregnancy has become a serious developmental issue in Zimbabwe. It is heartbreaking that we continue to lose so many young girls in childbirth as a result of teenage pregnancies. Young girls account for 25% of maternal deaths in the country.”
The “Not in my village” initiative has been recognised for its innovative approach, winning the 2023 UNFPA Innovation Fair under the “Dare to Dream” category. This community-driven solution has the potential to make a significant impact in tackling teenage pregnancy.
By engaging chiefs, headmen, and village heads, the campaign seeks to raise awareness among young girls about the limitations of teenage pregnancy and drive demand for sexual and reproductive health services. As the initiative continues to gain traction, it’s clear that community-led solutions can play a vital role in addressing this critical issue.
On average, road carnage claims four people daily, the noise on stiffer penalties is deafening. As women and girls, we ought to fight for our SRHR too. The SHE & Rights is one such movement.
In India, Pooja Mishra, National Youth Coordinator of Youth Lead Voices, shared the unique challenges faced by young people living with HIV (PLHIV). Mishra emphasized the difficulties faced by youth in rural areas, including judgment from healthcare providers and mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, which hinder their ability to seek care.
Picture: UNICEF
Mishra called for the establishment of youth-friendly, peer-led healthcare services that offer culturally sensitive, confidential, and non-judgmental care.
“Lack of awareness about SRHR services, especially in rural areas, along with the stigma surrounding HIV, limits access to vital healthcare for young people in India,” said Mishra.
Indian youth face cultural and religious barriers in many parts of South Asia, especially in Pakistan.
Gressa Mae G. Pepito, Vice President of the Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines, echoed her concerns. Pepito called for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, which aims to improve access to age-appropriate, evidence-based sexual health education and services.
Young people are required to be heard not only to be seen. They are capable of running youth programmes advocating for their own health and rights.
Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, a legal practitioner from South Africa, highlighted the country’s progressive laws that ensure youth have the right to access contraceptives and sexual health services without parental consent.
In South Africa, abortion is legal upon request within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and one of the accepted reasons is that the pregnancy is unplanned.
“Young people have the right to make decisions regarding their reproductive health and access necessary services,” said Mokgoroane.
According to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996), a woman has the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy upon her request, and the reasons for the request are not questioned.
The Act states that a woman’s right to choose an abortion is not limited to specific circumstances, such as rape, incest, or health risks. Instead, it acknowledges that a woman has the autonomy to make decisions about her own body, health, and well-being.
Females from neighbouring countries travel to access the services at a fee.
“Safe abortion is available in South Africa. Young women and girls require effective education on SRHR,” said Mokgoroane.
The SHE & Rights call for greater collaboration among governments, organisations, and communities to create policies and services that are inclusive and accessible to young people. By amplifying youth voices, improving access to education, and breaking down cultural and social barriers, we can pave the way for a better future. The enabling environment will give young people the opportunity to thrive, make informed decisions, and take control of their sexual and reproductive health.
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