Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMBABWE today held belated commemorations to mark the World Contraception Day in Mhangura.
The celebrations drew scores of people from Mhangura to the Recreational Club to attend the event.
The day is commemorated on September, 26 annually. Mashonaland West, which ranks as the second-highest province with high adolescent pregnancies in Zimbabwe, was chosen to host the event as a way to increase and raise contraception awareness.
Drug and substance abuse has also been identified as one of the key factors contributing to the increase in adolescent pregnancies.
Currently, the overall adolescent pregnancy rate in Zimbabwe stands at 23 percent, with 31 percent of adolescents in Mashonaland West having fallen pregnant at some point.
Mashonaland Central has the highest rate at 37 percent, while Bulawayo has the lowest at 13 percent.
During today’s event, free consultations and contraception services were provided. The Government also used the day to raise awareness on other issues such as cancer screening, HIV and TB testing.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC)’s official, Mr Farai Machinga said contraception was an essential service and challenged members of the community to avoid using unauthorised dealers to access contraceptives.
Population Services Zimbabwe’s country director, Ms Pester Siraha, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor, reaffirmed their contribution towards supporting the Government in providing adequate contraceptives to its citizens.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said his ministry was committed to providing information to communities to make
“Teenage pregnancies and birth-related mortalities are dropping. Mashonaland West is, however, ranked second in the country with 31 per cent of adolescent pregnancies,” he said.
“Our President, Cde Mnangagwa, has made sure that 4,5 million has been spent on contraceptives for the past three years, which has helped in preventing unwanted pregnancies,” he said.
In a bid to reduce unwanted teenage pregnancies and STIs in Mhangura, a teenage centre is expected to be established in the former defunct mining settlement.
He also noted that there was need to empower women with economic opportunities and invest in digital technology in health.
The crowd was entertained by Sulumani Chimbetu and the army band Crocodile Sounds.
