The agony of women and girls in accessing abortion services in Zimbabwe

July 6, 2026
By Muchaneta Chimuka

Unsafe abortion cases remain rife among youth and adults in Zimbabwe. The challenges are fuelled by exorbitant medical costs, restrictive legal frameworks, an inadequate network of youth-friendly clinics offering sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and deep-seated negative attitudes among healthcare providers.

Furthermore, infrastructure barriers, systemic policy hurdles, and a widespread lack of knowledge on how or where to seek safe services exacerbate the situation.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/the-agony-of-women-and-girls-in-accessing-abortion-services-in-zimbabwe/

AD1183: Zimbabweans support women’s autonomy in marital and reproduction choices, but hold mixed views on contraceptives and abortion

Majorities endorse sex education and allowing pregnant pupils to stay in school.

Simangele Moyo-Nyede
13 May 2026

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are an essential facet of public health, human rights, and sustainable development. For women, they entail physical, mental, and social well-being with autonomy in matters of sexuality and childbearing, including access to contraceptives (Starrs et al., 2018).

Zimbabwe has made great strides on SRHR in recent years, with legal and policy frameworks, anchored in the 2013 Constitution, that prioritise SRHR in the 2026-2030 National Health Strategy, increase funding for SRHR services, and prohibit child marriage through the Marriages Act (United Nations Population Fund, 2025, 2026; World Health Organization, 2020).

Continued: https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1183-zimbabweans-support-womens-autonomy-in-marital-and-reproduction-choices-but-hold-mixed-views-on-contraceptives-and-abortion/

13.05.2026

News

Medical Services Amendment Bill

National Health Strategy

public support for abortion

sexual and reproductive health and rights

ZIMBABWE – Mystery over overnight graves in Epworth revealed

April 24, 2026
Muchaneta Chimuka

Rows of graves that appeared overnight in Epworth, sparking widespread curiosity, public speculation, and viral social media debate, have been revealed to be a deliberate national intervention to shine the spotlight on unsafe abortion.

The graves are part of “In the Shadows of Epworth,” a hard-hitting investigative documentary seeking to expose the hidden human cost of unsafe abortion and to evoke urgent national dialogue grounded in public health, human rights, and lived realities.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/mystery-over-overnight-graves-in-epworth-revealed/

24.04.2026

Film, Art, Books

documentary on unsafe abortion

In the Shadows of Epworth

Rumbidzai Zimudzi

Unique Zimuto

unsafe abortion graves

ZIMBABWE – Between law and life: Zim’s painful abortion dilemma

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, The Sunday Mail
29 Mar 2026

When she discovered she was pregnant, 17-year-old Rudo (full name withheld) felt her world collapse.

“The first emotion that engulfed me was disappointment. I felt like I had let down my family. Fear quickly followed. I was afraid of my parents, my siblings and even my church community.

Overwhelmed by shame, she withdrew into silence, choosing isolation over seeking help.

Continued: https://www.pressreader.com/zimbabwe/the-sunday-mail-zimbabwe/20260329/282054808573180

29.03.2026

Termination of Pregnancy Act 1977

Zimbabwe – Traditional leaders thwart attempt to smuggle in contentious clause on abortion

March 15, 2026
Zvamaida Murwira

A CLAUSE in the Medical Services Amendment Bill that sought to legalise abortion was removed after traditional leaders protested, describing it as an abomination and taboo against traditional practices, The Sunday Mail has learnt.

The Bill had sailed through the National Assembly, but the Senate rejected it after traditional leaders said they could not approve of a practice that runs against traditional customs.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/traditional-leaders-thwart-attempt-to-smuggle-in-contentious-clause-on-abortion/

15.03.2026

News

anti-choice cruelty

anti-choice hatred

anti-choice hypocrisy

anti-choice misogyny

Fortune Charumbira

Medical Services Amendment Bill

Zimbabwe – Chiefs discuss deaths in backyard abortions

March 9, 2026
Mathew Masinge

TRADITIONAL leaders in Hwedza recently convened a Dare RaMambo to address the growing number of women and girls dying from unsafe backyard abortions.

The dialogue was facilitated by Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) under its #Asingade campaign.

The meeting brought together chiefs, headmen and community stakeholders to discuss the realities driving young women toward unsafe abortion practices and to examine the provisions of the Termination of Pregnancy Act.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/chiefs-discuss-deaths-in-backyard-abortions/

09.03.2026

News

#Asingade campaign

Dare RaMambo on unsafe abortion

Ekenia Chifamba

Shamwari Yemwanasikana

Zimbabwe – Human rights doctors support proposed abortion Bill

by Nyaradzo Chiba
Feb 13, 2026

HUMAN rights doctors have urged Parliament and all stakeholders to support the Medical Services Amendment Bill which expands grounds for abortion in the interests of safeguarding women’s lives, dignity and health.

In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) said it supported the inclusion of Clause 11 in the Medical Services Amendment Bill, 2024.

Continued; https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200051501/human-rights-doctors-support-proposed-abortion-bill

13.02.2026

News

abortion law reform

Medical Services Amendment Bill

ZADHR

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights

Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey

Zimbabwe – Poverty drives rise in unsafe abortions

February 8, 2026
Mashudu Mambo

Poverty has been identified as one of the leading factors behind the rise in illegal and unsafe abortions in many areas across the country where reports indicate that some families are extorting money from alleged perpetrators to conceal rape cases.

According to reports, several sexual abuse cases, especially those involving juveniles are being settled privately, particularly when the alleged perpetrators are from better-off families.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/poverty-drives-rise-in-unsafe-abortions/

08.02.2026

Zimbabwe – Dilemma reignites debate on rape, abortion and women rights

February 7, 2026
Muchaneta Chimuka, Features Writer

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING filmmaker, Joe Njagu’s Dilemma, explores how a couple’s dream of having a baby turns nasty after Chloe Thandeka “Busi” Ncube is gang-raped by armed robbers at their matrimonial home and impregnated, leaving her traumatised.

Cultural and religious beliefs within her family become a stumbling block for Busi to access safe abortion services at the local clinic and for her to get justice. This creates a big wound in the heart of the vulnerable woman.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/dilemma-reignites-debate-on-rape-abortion-and-women-rights/

07.02.2026

Termination of Pregnancy Act

ZIMBABWE – Uptake of post-abortion care still low despite Government efforts

November 28, 2025
Tendai Gukutikwa

GOVERNMENT has been applauded for making progress in ensuring that post-abortion care is available at designated health facilities.

However, uptake remains worryingly low, with experts warning that thousands of women continue to suffer complications in silence due to stigma, fear, misinformation and cultural barriers that push them away from lifesaving treatment.

In an interview on the sidelines of a media training, Women’s Action Group programme officer, Ms Vimbai Nyika said the availability of care is an important step in safeguarding women’s health, but misconceptions around abortion and community attitudes are still discouraging women from seeking help.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/uptake-of-post-abortion-care-still-low-despite-government-efforts/

28.11.2025