A shadow over our future: Tackling Zim’s adolescent pregnancy crisis
BENEATH the vibrant surface of Zimbabwe, a silent storm rages — the alarmingly high rate of adolescent pregnancy. With nearly 24 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 years already mothers or pregnant, the repercussions go far beyond individual life stories, casting a long shadow over the nation’s future.
According to data from a National Assessment of Adolescent Pregnancies in Zimbabwe, 21 percent of all antenatal clinic bookings made between 2019 and 2022 were for young girls aged 10 to 19 years.
The study, which was conducted by the Centre for sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research in Zimbabwe (CeSHHAR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), revealed that out of the 1532 maternal deaths recorded from 2019 to 2022, 25 percent were among adolescent girls and young women.
But beyond the numbers, there are human stories.
Just recently, 14-year-old Yeukai Dandara from Murehwa, died barely two weeks after she had given birth to twin babies.
Hers was a heart breaking story of a child robbed of her innocence, her education, and ultimately her life.
A trusted relative who was supposed to take care of the orphaned girl, took advantage of her vulnerability, raping and impregnating her. The result was costly.
Like countless others, the story of Yeukai highlights the devastating impact of adolescent pregnancy on individual lives and the nation’s development.
The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching and need targeted responses to address them.
Early motherhood often leads to these girls dropping out of school, it limits their educational attainment and future employment opportunities.
This, in turn, perpetuates poverty cycles, trapping families in a web of vulnerability.
Additionally, young mothers like Yeukai, face higher risks of maternal health complications, jeopardising their well-being and straining the already burdened healthcare system.
But amidst the stark numbers, there are glimmers of hope.
Last week, Government and its partners met to discuss the issue of adolescent pregnancies and to formulate strategies to deal with the crisis.
UN resident co-ordinator Mr Edward Kallon said the findings in the report provided direction for intervention.
“Context Zimbabwe has a young population facing challenges related to their development, including adolescent pregnancy, which remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality. The findings of this assessment have confirmed that the young girls of Zimbabwe need our protection and require our joint investment efforts. A multi-sectoral approach is imperative, calling on all line ministries to work together,” he said.
Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare acting deputy director Mr Shingirai Paungano also highlighted the need for partners to collaborate in addressing adolescent pregnancies.
“Adolescent pregnancies is a multi-faceted issue that not only affects the health and future prospects of young women but also it has profound implications on the socio-economic development of our nation. It is a concern that calls for our urgent attention and action demanding a collaborative approach that transcends individual and organisational boundaries.
“It therefore requires us and various stakeholders to work together to formulate a comprehensive strategy that not only addresses immediate health consequences but also works towards sustainable solutions for the wellbeing of our young generation,” he said.
The children themselves have also made a call for help.
“It is unacceptable that young people are finding themselves in this difficult situation of becoming parents to other children. We are seeing that the problems begin within the families where they keep it under wraps. These issues need to be addressed within the families. It is also important to approach this issue with the understanding of the complex factors that contribute to teenage pregnancies.
“There is lack of comprehensive sexual education in schools while other issues such as harmful cultural practise and gender inequalities also contribute. I am committed to work collaboratively with our Government, community leaders and organisations to address this challenge,” said Child President Neville Mavu.
With the buy-in of all stakeholders, it therefore is of paramount importance to ensure that solutions are found.
The first being education. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) remains a sensitive topic in Zimbabwe, yet it is crucial.
Equipping young people with accurate information about their bodies, relationships, and reproductive health empowers them to make informed choices.
This includes understanding consent, contraception, and the risks of early pregnancy.
Secondly, breaking the silence should be prioritised.
Stigma surrounding adolescent pregnancy isolates young mothers and discourages them from seeking help. Community awareness campaigns can challenge these harmful perceptions, emphasising empathy and support.
Platforms for mothers to share their experiences and access resources can foster solidarity and break the cycle of shame. Thirdly, the girls should be empowered. Beyond education, dismantling gender inequalities is crucial. Investing in girls’ education, promoting their economic opportunities, and challenging harmful traditional practices that normalise child marriage are essential.
Girls need safe spaces to discuss their concerns, access mentorship, and develop life skills that enable them to chart their own futures.
We also have to prioritise addressing poverty which could be the vital missing link that will break the cycle.
Economic hardship pushes many girls into vulnerable situations, increasing their risk of exploitation and early pregnancy.
Investing in social safety nets, creating income-generating opportunities for women, and tackling economic disparities can alleviate financial pressures and empower families.
Of course, we cannot leave out access to sexual and reproductive health services, counselling, affordable contraception, and safe abortion services where legally permitted. Lastly, men and boys have a role to play. Engaging men and boys as partners in the solution is critical to address harmful beliefs about masculinity, promote responsible behaviour and encourage their positive involvement in sexual and reproductive health discussions.
The responsibility to address this crisis does not fall solely on young girls.
It is a collective effort requiring commitment from families, communities, religious leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. Each individual can play a role. Together, we can rewrite the narrative. By investing in education, dismantling harmful social norms, ensuring access to healthcare, and empowering girls, we can create a future where young women thrive, families prosper, and Zimbabwe’s potential is fully realised.
The time for action is now.
Let us join hands and ensure every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential, free from the shadow of early pregnancy.
◆
Feedback: rumbidzai.zinyuke@zimpapers.co.zw
IN an advanced world, with information overload, and swift information sharing taking centre stage, there is always that downside to the advent of the wonderland.
Added to that matrix, drug abuse has become a component in the misery bedevilling mankind.
Drug abuse is the excessive, irrational, or addictive consumption of drugs for purposes other than those prescribed by a doctor, regardless of the potential social, psychological, and bodily side effects. The use of drugs that are harmful to the individual or others is also considered abusive.
The list of drugs cannot be easily exhausted. However, those known to the streets are marijuana/mbanje, methamphetamine (mutoriro, guka, chalk), glue, bronco, maragado, cane spirit, cocaine, and alcohol just to mention the familiar codes at our disposal.
There could be more drugs in circulation since their misuse is clandestine.
Nonetheless, people abuse drugs for a variety of reasons.
The addiction does not have boundaries as anyone can be affected, despite their background or standing.
Three primary causes classified as emotional, physical and psychological factors normally instigate the abuse of drugs.
There is a class of people in the emotional category who take drugs to fill some vacant space in their lives; which could be a lost relationship, the death of a loved one or just an ordeal.
Then, there are those in the physical category who want the effects of a high or low to have an imagined or better feeling.
In the psychological category are people who feel inadequate or incompetent in almost every aspect, hence the need to boost self-assurance.
Be that as it may, in trying to address one