Author: Dean Mutata
(Zimbabwe Youth Officer)

“Other Risks Don’t Stop”: Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 adolescents in Zimbabwe gives birth every year, with over half of these pregnancies being unintended?[1]

The quest for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services by adolescents and young people is hindered by a myriad of challenges, leading to devastating health and socio-economic consequences. While Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, ensuring 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% receive treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression, adolescents and young people continue to face rising HIV infection rates[2], unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions.

With an adolescent pregnancy prevalence rate of 23%[3], the consequences go beyond immediate health risks. A 2016 Guttmacher Institute report estimated that 4,100 induced abortions occurred among adolescent women in Zimbabwe, many of which were unsafe, placing young lives in jeopardy[4]. Beyond the health risks, unintended pregnancies force many young girls to drop out of school, limiting their economic opportunities and reinforcing cycles of poverty. The socio-economic impact extends to families and communities, as young mothers often struggle to provide for their children due to financial constraints and social stigma.

The barriers preventing adolescents and young people from accessing SRHR services are deeply rooted in legal, cultural, and economic realities. Legal restrictions, such as the age of consent for health services, which is currently capped at 18 years, create significant obstacles. Adolescents often require parental consent to access contraceptives and other sexual health services, discouraging them from seeking care. Furthermore, child marriage and early sexual debut continue to contribute to poor health outcomes among adolescents and young people. Cultural norms and stigma surrounding adolescent sexuality further exacerbate the problem. Many adolescents and young people fear judgment from their communities and healthcare providers, making them hesitant to seek SRHR services. Even when contraceptives are available, adolescents often struggle to access them due to health worker bias, negative social norms, and misinformation, among others.

A major gap in addressing adolescent SRHR needs is the lack of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). Many adolescents lack access to accurate, age-appropriate information that could empower them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Without proper education on contraception, STI prevention, and healthy relationships, young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that lead to adverse health outcomes. The absence of CSE in some school curricula leaves adolescents without the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate their sexual health safely and responsibly.

Economic barriers further limit adolescents’ and young people’s access to SRHR services. User fees for contraception, antenatal care, and STI treatment pose a significant financial burden, particularly for adolescents from low-income backgrounds. As a result, some adolescents and young people engage in high-risk behaviors to afford basic necessities, further exposing them to HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies. Addressing these financial barriers is critical to ensuring that SRHR services are accessible to all adolescents, regardless of their economic status.

To overcome these challenges, urgent policy reforms are needed to improve adolescent access to SRHR services. Removing and or lowering the age of consent for health services would enable adolescents to seek health services without parental restrictions, reducing barriers to contraception and HIV prevention. Additionally, healthcare facilities need to adopt adolescent-friendly services to curb health worker bias. Introducing innovative health service points for improving access to SRHR, such as digital telehealth platforms, mobile clinics, and community outreach programs, can help bridge the gap for adolescents and young people in underserved areas. Comprehensive sexuality education must be prioritized in schools and communities. Providing adolescents and young people with evidence-based, culturally sensitive education about sexual and reproductive health can empower them to make informed choices and reduce risky behaviors.

Economic barriers must also be addressed through policies that provide free or heavily subsidized SRHR services for adolescents and young people. Governments and stakeholders must invest in programs that remove financial obstacles and increase the availability of contraceptives and other essential health services. Addressing negative social norms that impede adolescents and young people from accessing health services and promoting positive health-seeking behaviors is crucial for long-term success.

The future of Zimbabwe’s adolescents depends on bold and collective action. Ensuring access to SRHR services is not just a health issue, it is a matter of human rights, economic progress, and sustainable development. By eliminating barriers, providing comprehensive sexuality education, and fostering a supportive environment, we can secure better health outcomes for its young people. Investing in adolescent health today means harnessing the demographic dividend, fostering a healthier population, and securing a brighter future for future generations. By prioritizing SRHR, we can create a strong, educated, and empowered youth population capable of driving economic growth and social development.

Reference links:

[1]  https://zimbabwe.unfpa.org/en/news/multi-sectoral-approach-imperative-address-adolescent-pregnancies-zimbabwe
[2] https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/zimbabwe
[3] https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/reports/national-assessment-adolescent-pregnancy-zimbabwe
[4] https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abortion-unintended-pregnancy-adolescents-zimbabwe