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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Health Reporter
ADOLESCENTS aged 10-19 make up 21 percent of bookings for antenatal care, up from just 9 percent in 2016, statistics from the National Assessment on Adolescent Pregnancies in Zimbabwe show.
This means 358 458 of the 1 706 946 bookings made between 2019 and 2022 were for teenage girl.
The study conducted by the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare with technical and financial support from UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF, also shows that 1 532 maternal deaths were recorded over the same period, with around 25 percent of them being among adolescents and young women under 24 years.
In a bid to combat the crisis, the Government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners, on Monday launched the “Not-In-My-Village” Campaign which seeks to bring an end to teenage pregnancies.
The campaign was launched during the World Population Day commemorations at Nzvimbo High School in Mazowe district.
Led by adolescents and young people themselves, through the Young People’s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS, working with the National AIDS Council, the campaign is being spearheaded by chiefs in their communities and seeks to mobilise joint community efforts to tackle adolescent teenage pregnancies.
In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora, President Mnangagwa said teenage pregnancy remained one of the most significant social challenges facing the country today.
“As we look ahead, it is clear that to address teenage pregnancies and all population-related issues while ensuring no one and no place is left behind we require sustained partnerships and collaboration. We must work together as government, civil society, development partners, traditional leaders, and communities to create an environment where every young person can thrive, free from violence, with access to quality education, healthcare, and the opportunities they need to realise their full potential,” he said.
This year’s World Population Day was held under the theme: “Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all.”
President Mnangagwa said the theme underscored the importance of collecting, analysing and using data to address issues that affect the well-being of the population. Access to accurate, reliable and actionable information was key to unlocking informed decision making, driving innovation and improving lives.
Speaking at the same occasion, UNFPA country representative Ms Miranda Tabifor emphasised the importance of data to inform policy and programming.
“Data is important for decision makers as it helps shape policies, direct actions and advise on development options in a way that reflects the needs of everyone.
“Evidence-based actions are needed to address teenage pregnancies,” she said. Ms Tabifor said it was important for all stakeholders to commit to doing more, to ensure that data systems captured the full range of human diversity.
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo stressed the need for collective action to ensure that everyone had access to quality education, health care, and opportunities for a dignified life.
“Data also shows that there is a growing burden of maternal and child health care challenges exacerbated by an increase in teenage pregnancies and early marriage. In the province, these avoidable challenges have the potential to slow down our development due to avoidable loss of productive time, as well as the preventable loss of time,” he said.
Online Reporter