Transforming Women’s Health in Zim: The drive for ...

Transforming Women’s Health in Zim: The drive for Safe Abortion Access by WAG

Patricia Mashiri

The Women Action Group has called for a multi-sectoral approach in the call for access to safe abortion.

Civil society organisations have been calling for the government to put in place measures that allow everyone access to safe abortion.

Statistics shows that 66 847 induced abortions were estimated to have occurred in Zimbabwe in 2016, which translates to a national rate of 17.8 abortions per 1 000 women aged 15-49. Overall, 40% of pregnancies were unintended in 2016, and one-quarter of all unintended pregnancies ended in abortion.

Speaking during International Safe Abortion Day commemorations, WAG director, Edna Masiyiiwa said abortion services are on demand and there was need to address the root cause as a coalition.

“We have pushed the abortion agenda and saw that it’s not yielding results so, we have come together with other organisations to push the agenda. As I said, here, we have Srhr Africa Trust, Institute of Women Social Workers and Katswe Sistahood among other organisations.

“Our work as WAG has been mainly looking at standard procedures. We also can say that access to abortion has been associated with classy issues. Those economically stable can use their financial muscle to access safe abortions while the poor ones suffer.

Masiyiwa also highlighted that it has been a long journey of advocacy and they were excited with the gains they have made so far as they are turning forty this year.

“We have also been spreading awareness on cancer, especially cancer of the reproduction, sexual reproduction issues, transformative leadership and we have also been responding to emergencies, floods and other climate change issues.”

WAG is pushing for policies that allow adolescents to access contraceptives so as to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The unwanted pregnancies are then pushing adolescents into illegal and unsafe abortions, which are causing death of young girls in most cases.

They want the Termination of Pregnancy Act (1977) to be reviewed as it no longer serves the issues of girls and women interests. The act allows termination of pregnancy, however with conditions.