Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
ADOLESCENT pregnancy has been cited as a major cause of concern in the growth and development of young people in Mashonaland West province and the nation at large.
This was said by Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’ s Adolescence Sexual Health Reproductive Programs Officer, Fadzai Makosa, at the provincial offices last week.
She said, according to statistics, Mashonaland Central province is leading with 37 percent while Mashonaland West is the second highest leading province in the nation with 31 percent.
Bulawayo is lowest with 13 percent.
Makosa said the national adolescent pregnancy rate is 23 percent.
She said the youths constitute just above 32 percent of the national population.
‘‘So, we have a challenge in terms of adolescent pregnancy.
‘‘As members of the media, you have a duty to help us raise awareness on the dangers of having sexual activities too early what we call early sexual debut,’’ said Makosa.
She added:
‘‘It’s a challenge to young people. We need to support them with various programs that includes comprehensive sexuality education and parent to child communication,’’ said Makosa.
She said once one gets pregnant at a tender age, they may also cause other challenges in the future.
‘‘So, we cannot ignore the young people no matter how much we want to ignore them.
‘‘I know at times when they are going through adolescence, parents tend to endure the adolescent period rather than enjoy,’’ she said.
Makosa said young people may be highly sexually active and, as ZNFPC, they are putting programs to ensure they are safeguarded to enjoy their youth and not spoil it.
She said they have Youth Centres dotted across the country.
‘‘They are one way of reaching out young people. So nationally, we have 24 youth centres.
‘‘We need to safeguard the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow and trying to ensure that no one is left behind,’’ said Makosa.
She said there are so many young people out there, who are not empowered to have proper life skills.
‘‘It is important to empower them with life skills such as decision making, being resilient even during difficult times,’’ said Makosa.
She said they target young people through the clinics, community, healthy facilities and tertiary institutions.
Zimbabwe African Union Youth Representative, Anne Mugwagwa, told H-Metro, that most adolescent girls are still playing with toys, dreaming of their future, and learning about the world around them yet in Mashonaland West, nearly one in three adolescent girls is forced into motherhood before she is ready, robbed of her childhood and her right to education.
Mugwagwa said behind these numbers are real lives.
‘‘Adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue it is a crisis stealing the future of our girls,’’ said Mugwagwa.
She said it is high time the youths demand access to youth-friendly reproductive health services in every district.
“There is need to Introduce comprehensive sexuality education that empowers, not shames.
Hold perpetrators accountable no matter their title or relation and to create safe reporting mechanisms for children,” said Mugwagwa.
She added:
‘‘Empower girls with education, economic opportunities, and the confidence to say no.
‘‘This is not just a women’s issue. It is a community crisis. Fathers, brothers, teachers, pastors, traditional leaders all must rise and protect our daughters,’’ she said.
Mugwagwa said girls deserve more than survival they deserve a future.
‘‘Adolescent pregnancy is not inevitable. It is preventable.
‘‘But prevention requires courage, the courage to confront uncomfortable truths, challenge harmful norms, and put the lives of girls first,’’ said Mugwagwa.
