Teenage pregnancy a worrying trend in Zim

AN increase in teenage pregnancies has become a major health concern in the country with 30 percent of maternal deaths recorded from adolescent mothers and their babies, a figure described by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as one that needs to be acted on.

The 30 percent figure is an increase from 24,1 percent recorded in the last Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).

UNFPA said adolescents and youths were facing unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and eventually dropping out of school.

Young people, the report indicates face difficulties in accessing social services such as health due to stigma, negative cultural norms, lack of knowledge, low-risk perception, a health system that is not youth-centred, and economic disempowerment.

This, they say leads to them engaging in negative coping strategies such as early sexual debuts and unprotected sex, resulting in high HIV infections and teenage pregnancy. Drug and substance abuse are also said to be worryingly on the increase among young people and also contribute to the negative life outcomes.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission also noted that child marriage exposes young girls and their newly-born babies to high health and death risks due to physiological immaturity and also results in rampant violation of human rights as they are exposed to inequality, domestic violence and lack of choice regarding their sexual and reproductive health rights.

On the occasion to mark International Youth Day on 12 August, the UNFPA called for greater support to ensure young people reach their full potential by making critical investments in their health, education and well-being.

“Investment in young people’s health, education, economic opportunities and wellbeing is critical in supporting them to reach their full potential so that they contribute to national development. The Covid-19 outbreak and the recurrent waves have been a huge drawback for young people’s development,” said Blessing Nyagumbo, UNFPA Programme Specialist — Adolescents and Youth.

UNFPA is working with the Government, development partners and civil society to develop inclusive policies, legislation and accountability frameworks that promote and protect adolescents’ and youths’ sexual reproductive health and rights.

Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in schools, tertiary institutions and out of school settings are also being carried out through community-based programmes such as the Sista2sista girls’ mentorship clubs and parent to child communication groups in Zimbabwe.

Senior Regional Programmes Officer with the Embassy of Switzerland Mr Lawrence Lewis Musa, said when there is a meeting of minds it’s not difficult for partners to come together to address the challenges that affect young people and work towards providing opportunities for young people to be able to flourish and thrive.

“We have been working with UNFPA over the years towards young people’s development in an effort to ensure that young people make meaningful contributions to the development of the country,” he said.

UNFPA country representative Dr Esther Muia expressed gratitude to their funding partners for supporting the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and young people in particular.

Concern was raised, however, in the surge in sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable and marginalised groups such as young women and girls and young people with disabilities through child marriages particularly in the apostolic sects.

To help arrest the scourge of child marriages, First Lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa has been on a nationwide campaign with the nhanga/gota/ ixhiba programme where she teaches young people on chastity, respect, moral uprightness, tradition and hygiene to name a few.

The programme has been praised for being a conduit for morals, discipline and cultural values in young people most of whom are victims of broken families.

The programme has tackled moral decadence that is rampant among young people and has had a positive impact on their lives. @NyembeziMu