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

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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

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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

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post-abortion care

Termination of Pregnancy Act

It’s Time To Scrap Zimbabwe’s Outdated Abortion Law – Molokele

By Lovemore
26 November 2025

Hwange Central MP Daniel Molokele (CCC) has called for the repeal of the 1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act, describing it as one of the most backward laws in Zimbabwe.

Molokele made the comments at a press conference in Harare on Tuesday, which marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Continued: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2025/11/26/its-time-to-scrap-zimbabwes-outdated-abortion-law-molokele/

26.11.2025

News

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act

abortion law reform

Community Working Group on Health

Women Advocate Group Applauds Landmark Ruling on Safe Abortions

December 18, 2024

HARARE – The Women and Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) has raised alarm over Zimbabwe’s high maternal mortality rates and complications from unsafe abortions, particularly among adolescents. The organisation has hailed a recent High Court ruling that effectively outlaws the prohibition of safe abortions, calling it a step forward in addressing these pressing issues.

Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, WILSA National Director Isheanesu Chirisa highlighted staggering statistics on unsafe abortions in the country. She revealed that studies from 2019 show that 219 abortions occur daily in Zimbabwe, with 80,000 abortions recorded that year.

Continued: https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/health/woemn-advocate-group-applauds-landmark-ruling-on-safe-abortions/

Zimbabwe – The dangers of selective abortion laws and the case for reform

December 17, 2024
Obey Sibanda

BUHLE, a 20-year old university student, finds herself in a desperate situation when she discovers she is pregnant. Fearing the consequences of her parents and friends finding out, she turns to a “friend of a friend” who claims to know how to perform an abortion.

The procedure is carried out in a cramped and unsanitary backyard shed. Buhle is given a concoction of unknown substances, and the “practitioner” attempts to perform a dilation and curettage (D&C) without proper equipment or anaesthesia. As soon as the procedure is over, Buhle begins to experience severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, and dizziness. She realises something has gone horribly wrong.

Continued: https://www.chronicle.co.zw/the-dangers-of-selective-abortion-laws-and-the-case-for-legal-reform/

17.12.2024