By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – Youths have called for increased access to safe abortion services, free sanitary
pads, and easier access to emergency contraceptives, arguing that restrictive laws and high costs
are contributing to cases of baby dumping, unsafe abortions, and teenage pregnancies among
young people.
The calls were made during a Parliamentary Youth Caucus dialogue held at Mucheke Hall on
June 23, 2026, under the SADC-PF Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), HIV and
AIDS and Governance Project.
The event brought together students, youth leaders, civil society organisations and local
authorities to discuss challenges affecting adolescents and young people.
Speaking at the event, youths said challenges affecting young people and urged policymakers to
consider reforms to expand access to reproductive health services.
One of the participants, Acknowledge Mawere from Bikita, said women and girls seeking
abortions should not be criminalized, adding that the lack of safe and legal options was forcing
some to resort to unsafe practices or abandon newborn babies.
He cited a recent case in Bikita District, Chikuku area, where a baby was reportedly dumped,
saying such incidents highlight the need for a review of abortion laws.
“Just recently, there was a case in Chikuku, Bikita, where a baby was found abandoned in a
toilet. These are the realities we are facing. Some may argue that abortion is murder, but sex is
also considered a sin, just as abortion is. If a person does not want a pregnancy, they should be
allowed to terminate it because no sin is greater than the other.
“Those who want to abort should be free to do so, and those who don’t want to should not.
People often resort to unsafe abortions because they don’t have access to these services. In
contrast, others carry unwanted pregnancies to term and end up abandoning babies out of fear,”
said Mawere.
Another participant, Fadzai Makuwere, said while abortion may not be acceptable to some, the
reality of young people’s sexual activity meant safe abortion access should be considered.
“It may seem unacceptable to some people, but we are living in a generation where many young
people are already sexually active. When an unwanted pregnancy occurs, they should be able to
go to a hospital and access safe abortion services because we have lost many young lives through
unsafe abortions.
“Unwanted pregnancies resulting from mistakes should be terminated safely if the individual
chooses to do so. We often tell young people to abstain from sex, but the reality is that
abstinence is not always effective. As parents, we failed it, so it’s unrealistic to expect young
people to achieve what we ourselves have struggled to achieve,” said Makuwere.
Other speakers also called for improved access to condoms and emergency contraceptives,
saying contraceptives should be freely available in communities and not only at institutions and
beer halls.
One youth, Bridget Marima, called for the distribution of free sanitary pads, particularly in
remote areas where some girls struggle to afford menstrual hygiene products, saying that some
girls were forced to use pieces of cloth during menstruation due to a lack of sanitary wear.
“My wish is that young girls from rural areas have access to free sanitary pads. Condoms are
given free, but you have to buy sanitary wear, which then causes children to use pieces of
clothes. These practices are said to be other causes of cervical cancer, all because they don’t have
money to buy those pads,” said Marima.
One of the panelists, and Glenview South MP, Tsitsi Tawomhera commented on the issue,
saying while pads and condoms cannot be placed in the same category because sex is a choice
while menstruation is natural, she acknowledged the point and said government should distribute
pads.
“We noticed that many people complain about the issue of pads and condoms, saying condoms
are given free whereas you have to buy pads. These two things can’t be placed in the same
category because sex is something you decide to do while menstruation is by nature. But I have
taken the point that the government should distribute pads because it’s something we as women
did not choose. We will represent the issue,” said Tawomhera.
Another participant from Mucheke Vocational Centre called for easier access to emergency
contraceptives, commonly known as morning-after pills, as part of efforts to reduce teenage
pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
“We need morning-after pills to be free in schools just like condoms. We only have access to
condoms, but what about morning-after pills? We don’t have that US$3 to buy morning-after
pills, which may end up causing unwanted pregnancies. So let those pills be offered just like
condoms in schools,” said the participant.
In terms of condoms, youths called for distribution of condoms everywhere, even in taxis, not
only in schools or hospitals.
Participants also urged the government to prioritise youth-friendly reproductive health services
and ensure that young people have access to accurate information on family planning and
contraceptive options.
My Age Africa, an organization that has been actively advocating for policy reforms, previously
called for the need to address misconceptions around safe abortion laws and ensure young
women understand family planning and birth control.
My Age Africa also highlighted that young people who seek condoms are very few compared to
those who seek morning-after pills, indicating a need for more education so that young people
can make informed choices.
