By Simon Masore
MASVINGO – My Age Africa, A youth-led organization recently held a youth awareness Programme in
Masvingo aimed at addressing issues of sexual and reproductive health and Rights, mental health and the
empowerment of young women.
The event, brought together students, youth leaders, civil society organizations and local authorities to
discuss the challenges affecting adolescents and young people and to promote access to Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Speaking during the engagement, My Age Africa executive director Onward Chironda said the
organization’s new strategy focuses on strengthening youth participation through policy advocacy and
dialogue with key stakeholders.
“Our new strategy focuses on young people. We are using policy advocacy and dialogues to ensure that
young people are heard and that the right communication strategies are in place,” said Chironda.
He emphasized that the organization prioritizes youth-centered approaches to ensure that young people
are empowered in their daily lives.
“Young people must be at the center of care. We want them to be empowered in their daily activities and
to achieve this we engage different stakeholders and service providers so that young people can access
knowledge, services and wellness programs,” he said.
Chironda added that the organization was also actively advocating for policy reforms that improve access
to health services for young people.
“We want to make sure that young people have services that help them. We are proud to say that we have
participated locally and nationally in the processes around the amendment of the Health Bill,” he said.
He went on to say the organization was also involved in disaster risk management programmes, working
with various government ministries.
“Last year we worked with several ministries to strengthen disaster risk management, including the
Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the
Ministry responsible for disaster risk management,” he said.
Chironda also highlighted the organization’s efforts to strengthen its sustainability through internal
fundraising initiatives.
“We have also focused on strengthening the organization itself by generating our own resources. We
established 263 Media, which provides media services such as podcasts, live broadcasts and
documentaries,” he said.
“Last year we managed to generate about US$15 000 in revenue for the first time in 10 years. After some
organizations withdrew their funding contracts, this has helped us sustain the organization,” he added.
Chironda also raised concerns about gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV), saying more
work is needed to protect the girl child.
“Government commitments must remain centered on the girl child, especially in addressing gender-based
violence and ensuring young women have the support they need,” he said.
On sexual and reproductive health issues, Chironda said there was a need to increase awareness among
young people about HIV prevention and contraceptive options.
“Young people who go to seek condoms are very few compared to those who seek morning-after pills.
There is a need for more education so that young people can make informed choices,” he said.
He also addressed misconceptions around safe abortion laws, encouraging young women to seek accurate
information on reproductive health.
“We need to address misconceptions around safe abortion and ensure that women understand family
planning and birth control so that we can build a healthy generation,” Chironda said.
My Age Africa Capacity Building Agent Obedience Mazenge presented an overview of a mental health
project aimed at strengthening advocacy for mental health funding.
“Despite recognition of mental health within Zimbabwe’s National Health Strategy (2021–2025),
financing remains fragmented and is often subsumed under broader non-communicable disease
allocations,” Mazenge said.
He revealed alarming statistics highlighting the scale of the problem.
“About 0.2 percent of the health budget is allocated to non-communicable diseases, while 64 percent of
children experience violence and one in three girls experience sexual violence,” he said.
Mazenge said the organization’s goal was to push for improved funding for mental health services in
Masvingo.
“Our goal is to improve domestic funding for mental health and ensure increased mental health services in
Masvingo City by December 2026,” he said.
“We are also advocating for the creation of a dedicated mental health budget and formal communication
platforms that allow young people to access counselling and information,” he added.
He said the project would include policy brief development, youth community dialogues, engagement
meetings with civil society organizations, policy dialogues with policymakers and media engagement.
Masvingo City Ward 9 Councilor Bernard Muchokwa said the city council was, however, making efforts
to support youth development initiatives.
“As Masvingo City Council we have many sectors to focus on, including mental health for young people.
We also fund youth activities such as sports. For example, we support football teams with about US$3
000 affiliation fees, which shows that we care about young people,” he said.
Muchokwa, however, urged youths to actively participate in council meetings to voice their concerns.
“The challenge is that young people do not attend council meetings where they can share their concerns.
The last time we held a meeting at Mucheke Hall, only primary school pupils attended,” he said.
Meanwhile, My Age Africa also launched a free counselling hotline called SARU (0808617), which
offers support and information on sexual and reproductive health and mental health.
The organization also provides emotional support through its WhatsApp line 0782 450 853, where young
people can access counselling services and information.
