Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
2019 International Day of the Girl Child
By: myadmin • November 4, 2019
As part of the 25th commemorations of the International Day of the Girl Child, ROOTS in partnership with Higher Life Foundation hosted a colorful event for young people at Tendai Hall in Bindura on the 11th of October 2019. The event was well attended with over 500 Adolescents and Young People from schools within the district. A number of ROOTS’ key stakeholders including ZNFPC, Child Line, NAC were also in attendance and contributed to the program in form of motivational as well as educational speeches for the young people present, especially the girls.
The program itself was packed with speeches and poems from the young people themselves with the over- arching theme being the importance of the girl child in society. The girls were encouraged to have a positive view of themselves and their future while the young boys present were encouraged to value and respect girls and to also help diminish their current burden within the private sphere/ the home. The most exciting parts of the program were: 1.The quiz on the commemoration and rights of the girl child 2. The dancing segment by several students from the different schools.
The objectives of the day were to celebrate and encourage positive imaging of the girl child, to spread awareness on the recurring negative socio- cultural practices such as child marriages and GBV and facilitate a positive shift in beliefs and norms and to empower Young Girls through the promotion of girls’ rights.
The event was spearheaded by two young facilitators and a significant number of performances/ presentations was from young female poets while most presentations encouraged girls to be confident and to positively view themselves. The importance of education was a recurring theme and finally the partnership between ROOTS and Higher Life Foundation once again proved to be a fruitful one.
Let’s break the silence on abortion and save lives
By: myadmin • October 8, 2019
The time to discuss unsafe abortions has never been more urgent in Zimbabwe, where nearly all abortions are clandestine and approximately 40 percent of these abortions result in complications such as severe bleeding, infection and even death.
Though the exact figures of women and girls who have died from unsafe abortions is not known, a study showed that abortions are the fifth leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Zimbabwe.
The situation is made worse by the current “Termination of Pregnancy Act” that is extremely restrictive, only allowing abortion in the following situations: for rape and incest survivors, if the condition of the woman is at risk, or if the foetus is malformed in such a way that it will not survive after birth. Implementation of this law also presents challenges, which include the need for doctor’s appointments and delayed court processes.
This further perpetuates deaths from unsafe abortion as women at times choose not to follow the lengthy and painful legal route.
As we mourn those who have died, let’s also use this as an opportunity to plan for the future based on the following lessons.
Firstly, we have to realise that restrictive abortion laws kill women, and the poor are disproportionately affected. Zimbabwean women who can afford, go to South Africa where abortion is legal. On the contrary, those who don’t have that option seek out illegal providers who employ unsafe procedures that have a high rate of dangerous and potentially deadly complications, like heavy bleeding and infections and even death.
In Zimbabwe, the poor suffer the most. In fact, the world over, restrictive laws make access to safe abortions a class issue.
An analysis of the situation in Zimbabwe from experts at the Guttmacher Institute in New York, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and the University of Zimbabwe estimated that over 65 000 abortions were performed in 2016. Most of them were unsafe and poor women were most likely to experience the worst complications.
Zimbabwe has a high rate of pregnancy-related deaths, one of the highest in Africa, and unsafe abortions are among the leading causes.
Secondly, if you restrict abortions, be prepared for a high demand for health services to treat complications arising from the inevitable increase in unsafe abortions. And be prepared for the increased costs that they generate for the overall health system.
Earlier this year, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation covered the story of a man who was carrying out unsafe abortions in the high-density suburb of Mbare.
Girls as young as 13-years-old had procured unsafe abortions from what was basically a backyard abortionist. Complications included bleeding, infection, sterility and even death. And the cost of treating them was borne by the public health system.
Zimbabwe has a post-abortion care programme where women who have unsafe abortions can get treatment for complications.
It is good that we have such a programme, but the better policy, from a fiscal and moral standpoint, is to give women access to safe abortions.
The cost of treating someone who has had an unsafe abortion is much more than the cost or providing a safe abortion. A study done in our neighbouring country of Zambia proves this: women who sought a safe abortion incurred the lowest overall costs (US$52,6) and women who sought post-abortion care following an unsafe abortion had to pay over 50 percent more (US$82,4).
Finally, those who oppose abortion need abortions, too. In my advocacy work, I have come across more than 50 women who are known to be abortion opponents but who were seeking out abortion services, either for themselves or their daughters.
It is only when someone is faced with a difficult situation that they appreciate the need for safe abortion services. One young woman I knew had been accepted to study abroad, an opportunity that would change the trajectory of her and her family’s life. All of her expenses had been paid, and then she discovered she was pregnant. She came to me with her mother whom I knew to be opposed to abortion. I advised her to travel to South Africa where the laws allowed safe terminations. The daughter was able to get a safe abortion and proceed with her education.
The evidence is clear. Restricting access to abortions increases the number of unsafe abortions, burdening the public health system.
The International Safe Abortion Day which was commemorated on September 28, was a time to consider reviewing the current Termination of Pregnancy Act. Let’s also consider making contraceptives readily available to young people so they can avoid the unwanted pregnancies that lead to unsafe abortion or even death.
Article by Edinah Masiyiwa(Adopted from the Herald 08/10/19)
All about Period Pain
By: myadmin • August 7, 2019
The technical term for period pain is dysmenorrhoea. It derives from an ancient Greek expression which literally means ‘difficult monthly flow’.
Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. You can suffer from period pain from your early teens right up to the menopause. Most women experience some discomfort during menstruation, especially on the first day. But in 5% to 10% of women the pain is severe enough to disrupt their life. If your mother suffered period pains, you are more likely to suffer too. In 40% of women, period pain is accompanied by premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, tender breasts, a swollen stomach, lack of concentration, mood swings, clumsiness and tiredness. (more…)
ROOTS AYP Bloggers and Podcasters training
By: myadmin • August 5, 2019
On Saturday the 13th ROOTS had ROOTS AYP Bloggers and Podcasters training in Harare. The event was an exciting one and our AYP learnt a lot about SRHR, Podcasting and Blogging and we closed off with an award giving ceremony. Performances from Team Illusion definitely made the event unforgetable Special thank you to all the young people who showed up, our trainers: Tinashe Bonde Gondai R Bangidza, our facilitators: Karen Whitney Maturure, Junior Chirikuutsi Gambura, Tinashe Machinya.
Commemoration of the Day of the African Child
By: myadmin • August 5, 2019
On the 27th of June this year we hosted a successful late Commemoration of the Day of the African Child in Mazowe. Such beautiful performances from students from Shingirirayi and Cranham School. We were surprised by one of our partners, ZISAF with their exchange program students from South Africa who showcased some lovely cultural dances. We continue to advocate for the rights of Children, also emphasising issues around quality education. Thank you to everyone who made today a success. Special mention to our Board member Miss Tanatsei Gambura who has been based in SA but managed to join us for this special event and Culture Fund for supporting us in making our work a reality.On Friday last week ROOTS, other partners and the MoYSAR commemorated the Day of The African Child at Nyava Growth Point in Bindura District. Child Legislators fully participated and there were colourful traditional exhibitions by the Children who participated.
