By Virginia Njovo
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) will raise awareness on new contraceptives to tertiary students as it commemorates World Contraceptive Day on September 26.
ZNFPC will host the commemorations at Mkoba Teachers College in Gweru under the theme ‘Contraception Is Your Life, Your Responsibility’ targeting young people in the reproductive phase and sexually active.
Speaking to TellZim News ZNFPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Farai Machinga said there were gaps in information on contraception knowledge, timing and contraceptive types among universities and colleges where students tend to only use condoms as a way of protection.
“We are going to have free service provision on the day, including free information as well as free counselling to those in need of those services. When talking contraceptive health to young people we encourage them to abstain from sexual activities whilst focusing on their studies since it is the only safest way of staying healthy,” said Machinga.
Machinga said hosting the world commemorations at Mkoba Teachers College serves as a tribute to the teachers’ dedication and resilience and recognizing the significant contributions of teachers who despite their own responsibilities continue to inspire and educate others.
“This is also a way of appreciating teachers who help the world in educating and inspire other youth who are at reproductive stage and sexually active in different ways. As Family Planning Council we are committed to ensure the availability of services and access to quality integrated, affordable contraceptive services to everyone by 2030 as well as to ensure access to comprehensive and appropriate information to appropriate people.
“Current statistics show that regardless of tertiary students being the most affected people with STIs, married women are also at high risk since 41 percent of them are using pills as the only way of contraception whilst 10 percent are using injectables,.
“10 percent are using implants, four percent use male condoms, female sterilisation, IUCD and traditional method are at one percent. So we urge people to use dual contraceptives curb the spread of STIs as well as unwanted pregnancies,” said Machinga.
Midlands Province has four tertiary institutions excluding vocational training centres and the province has mining activities where students are lured by artisanal miners putting them at risk of contracting STIs as well as transmitting them.
