ZNFPC Takes SRHR Dialogue to Rural Communities

The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) staff has embarked on a province-wide tour of communities, conversing with community leaders including religious and traditional leaders as well as parents and young children about the dangers of child marriages and teen pregnancies.

The exercise is also targeting tertiary institutes, students, colleges and universities across the province focusing on sexual reproductive health issues and rights.

Percival Kushure the council’s provincial spokesperson said the exercise is a reinforcement of other dialogues they had before, with the same communities.

He said in areas such as Muzarabani and Mbire, teen pregnancy issues were real and there were very high records of cases of child marriages and teen pregnancies.

He said child marriages were high in Mashonaland Central and according to statistics, the province has the highest prevalence rate, commanding 31 percent.

“We are mainly focusing on rural girls, they are most of the teen pregnancy and child marriage victims. This we have noted could be due to information gaps. Information appears to be scarce in these communities and other hard-to-reach areas,” he said.

He said he was happy traditional leaders in the province are all against child marriages saying as the Zimbabwe National Family Council they will continue to cherish their support.

Kushure urged parents to have time with their teenage children to talk about sexual reproductive health issues and rights so as to keep them enlightened and prepared in times of temptation.

That role used to be played by uncles and aunties back then but in the world of today, you are your own child’s counsellor.