Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT has called for expanded access to family planning services, particularly for teenagers, people with disabilities and communities in remote areas, as it moves to strengthen maternal and child health.
Speaking at the provincial commemoration of World Contraception Day at Royal Bucks Primary School in Zvimba District on Monday, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said family planning should be accessible to everyone and based on informed and voluntary choices.
She said the Government was also working to strengthen domestic financing for contraceptive commodities to ensure that people seeking services were not turned away because of shortages.
“Information must be accompanied by services that are available,” Cde Chombo said. “No one should be left behind because they live far away, have a disability or are young.”
Zimbabwe committed US$2.25 million annually for 2026 and 2027 towards the procurement of contraceptives, following previous Government funding from domestic resources.
Cde Chombo said the financing was critical in ensuring the availability of family planning commodities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
She said the 2023-24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey showed that use of modern contraceptive methods among women had increased from 48 percent in 2015 to 53 percent, while usage among married women had reached 69 percent.
However, she said more work was needed to close gaps in access, especially among adolescents.
“Teenage pregnancy can affect education, health, employment opportunities and the future of the girl child,” she said.
Cde Chombo called for stronger adolescent-friendly health services and urged parents, schools, traditional leaders, churches and health workers to create safe environments where young people can seek accurate information without fear or stigma.
She also encouraged men to take a more active role in family planning, saying the responsibility should not be left to women alone.
The minister urged Mashonaland West authorities to work with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, local authorities, traditional leaders, churches, schools, NGOs and community health workers to take services to underserved communities.
This year’s World Contraception Day was commemorated under the theme: “A Choice for All. Freedom to Plan, Power to Choose.”
Source: Government pushes wider access to family planning services – herald
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