Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE percentage of women in Manicaland with unmet needs for family planning services has decreased from 11 to nine percent, indicating a steady progress in improving access to reproductive health.
To further strengthen this progress, a range of free health services will be offered today (Friday) at the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) offices in Mutare, commemorating World Contraception Day.
The event follows the national commemoration, launched earlier this month by the Minister of Health and Child Care in Masvingo, under the theme – Contraception: Your Life, Your Responsibility.
World Contraception Day is celebrated annually on September 26.
Ahead of today’s commemorations, ZNFPC Manicaland provincial marketing and communications officer, Mr Daniel Maromo, said the event will celebrate milestones achieved in family planning and sexual reproductive health, while providing free services directly to the community.
“We are celebrating Zimbabwe’s achievements in improving access to family planning and sexual reproductive health services. The unmet need in Manicaland has decreased to nine percent from 11 percent previously, indicating that more women are now able to access contraceptive methods of their choice,” said Mr Maromo.
The reduction is largely attributed to expanded outreach programmes, increased awareness campaigns, and stronger partnerships between ZNFPC, Government, and health stakeholders.
“Our goal is to empower every woman and man to make informed reproductive health decisions. While we are making progress, we still need to reach those who remain without access. Together, we can build a healthier, more informed nation,” he said.
This year’s theme highlights that contraception is a shared responsibility, not just a woman’s issue.
The ZNFPC prioritises reducing the unmet needs for contraception, ensuring all Zimbabweans have access to comprehensive reproductive health services.
“When women can decide freely if and when to have children, their families are healthier, incomes are more stable, and communities prosper. Access to contraception is central to achieving gender equality, health, and national development,” said Mr Maromo.
The ZNFPC collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other partners to increase access to reproductive health services in both rural and urban areas. Recent efforts include expanding community outreach, bringing mobile health teams to remote areas to provide contraceptives and reproductive health information.
“Manicaland’s performance is a result of collective efforts from our health sector partners. Positive results are emerging as people become more aware of their reproductive health rights and options,” said Mr Maromo.
While short-term methods remain popular, awareness of long-term methods is growing.
“The uptake of long-term contraceptives, such as Implanon and Jadelle, is increasing. As outreach programmes and health education intensify, more women recognise these methods as safe, effective, and convenient,” he said.
The commemoration programme, scheduled from 9am to 1pm, will offer a range of free family planning and reproductive health services, including short- and long-term contraceptives, pregnancy testing, cervical and breast cancer screening, HIV testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
“We will provide contraceptive pills, injectables such as Depo and Sayana Press, condoms, and long-term methods like Jadelle, Implanon, and IUCDs, commonly known as the loop. All these services will be offered free of charge,” said Mr Maromo.
The event targets, not only adult women, but also young people aged 10 to 24, through the adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme.
The celebrations will feature entertainment segments, including quiz competitions and a colour splash event, designed to engage and educate young people.
Online Reporter