”No Sin Is Greater Than The Other”: Youths Demand Free Morning After Pills, Access To Abortion

Zimbabwean youths have called for increased access to safe abortion services, free sanitary pads and emergency contraceptives, arguing that restrictive laws and high costs are driving baby dumping, unsafe abortions and teenage pregnancies.

The call was made during a Parliamentary Youth Caucus dialogue held at Mucheke Hall recently, under the SADC-PF Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, 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.

Acknowledge Mawere, a participant from Bikita, said women and girls seeking abortions should not be criminalised. He argued that the lack of safe and legal options forces some to resort to unsafe practices or abandon newborn babies.

He cited a recent case in Chikuku, Bikita District, where a baby was reportedly dumped, saying such incidents show the need to review 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,” said Mawere.
“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.”

Another participant, Fadzai Makuwere, said that although abortion was not acceptable to some, the reality of young people’s sexual activity meant safe abortion access should be considered.

“Unwanted pregnancies resulting from mistakes should be terminated safely if the individual chooses to do so,” said Makuwere.

“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.”
Other speakers at the dialogue called for improved access to condoms and emergency contraceptives, saying these should be freely available in communities and not only at institutions and beer halls.

Bridget Marima, a youth participant, called for free sanitary pads to be distributed, particularly in remote areas where some girls cannot afford menstrual hygiene products.

Glenview South MP Tsitsi Tawomhera (ZANU PF), who was on the panel, responded to the issue.

She said pads and condoms could not be placed in the same category because sex is a choice while menstruation is natural. However, she agreed with the concern and said the government should distribute pads.

A participant from Mucheke Vocational Centre said emergency contraceptives, commonly known as morning-after pills, should be easier to access to help reduce teenage pregnancies.
“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?, said the participant
“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.”

The youths called for the widespread distribution of condoms, including in taxis, rather than limiting access to schools and hospitals.