Alarm over rising teen pregnancies in Zimbabwe

Calls are growing for Zimbabwe to urgently expand sexual and reproductive health services for children and adolescents amid rising cases of teenage pregnancies, early marriages, HIV infections and unsafe abortions affecting young people.

Health experts and advocacy groups warned that failure to act quickly could deepen a social and public health crisis that is already disrupting the lives and futures of thousands of girls across the country.

Data from the National Assessment of Adolescent Pregnancies in Zimbabwe, conducted by Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Children's Fund and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, revealed worrying trends among girls aged between 10 and 19 years.

The assessment showed that girls aged between 10 and 14 accounted for 0,2 percent of pregnancies recorded at health institutions between January 2019 and December 2022, translating to more than 2 100 pregnancies nationwide. Teenagers aged between 15 and 19 accounted for 21 percent of antenatal bookings, representing nearly 189 000 pregnancies.

Speaking during a media workshop organised by Population Services Zimbabwe in Mutare, Advocacy Core Team coordinator Diana Mailosi said Zimbabwe was facing a growing emergency affecting adolescents, especially girls.

"We cannot afford to remain silent while our children's futures are being stolen," she said.

Mailosi warned that children as young as 10 were increasingly exposed to sexual activity and exploitation while lacking adequate protection, information and access to healthcare services.

She said teenage pregnancies, school drop-outs and early marriages were closely linked, with poverty and harmful cultural practices worsening the situation.

"In 2020, Zimbabwe recorded 55 899 school drop-outs. The figure rose to 69 660 in 2021 before slightly declining to 65 709 in 2022. A significant number of these cases are linked to teenage pregnancies, poverty, early marriages and limited access to reproductive health information," she said.

According to the findings, 34 percent of girls in Zimbabwe marry before the age of 18, while five percent are married before turning 15.

Mailosi also highlighted gaps in HIV awareness and access to sexual and reproductive health information among young people.

"Nearly one in every two young people aged between 15 and 19 years lacks comprehensive information and knowledge on HIV and SRH issues," she said.

She added that about 48 percent of young people do not know their HIV status despite high infection rates among adolescents and young adults.

Although Zimbabwe has recorded progress in reducing HIV prevalence and new infections over the years, Mailosi said children and adolescents remain vulnerable. She noted that antiretroviral therapy coverage for children aged between zero and 14 years remains at 73 percent, indicating persistent treatment gaps.

The workshop also highlighted the health risks faced by adolescent mothers and their babies, including pregnancy complications, premature births and low birth weight.

Nyasha Mudavanhu urged journalists to report responsibly on sexual and reproductive health issues and avoid sensationalism that could stigmatise vulnerable groups.

"Through the media, communities can be educated on where to access services, the importance of early treatment and the need to protect vulnerable groups from stigma and discrimination," she said.

Participants at the workshop received training on ethical reporting, stigma-free language and gender-sensitive journalism as part of efforts to improve public awareness and protect vulnerable adolescents.