In Zimbabwe, a host of barriers are preventing adolescents, defined as aged 10 to 19 years, from accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services safely and confidentially without the consent of their parents.
Without free and informative access to health services that include contraceptives, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and condoms, national studies show that rates of adolescent pregnancy and HIV are increasing, while knowledge levels around sexual health are declining.
Young girls are particularly affected. One study revealed that Zimbabwe has the highest teenage fertility rate in sub-Saharan Africa with one in every 10 girls aged between 15 and 19 years falling pregnant every year. Nearly 40 per cent of young girls engage in sexual activity before they reach the age of 18 (Amnesty 2018)
Culturally, young people are often expected to abstain from sex until they get married. National law states that young people below the age of 16 years can’t take an HIV test without parental consent, and health workers often stigmatize young people seeking sexual health advice.
To address this critical gap, MSF is providing free ‘adolescent friendly’ services which include general health checkups, HIV testing and counselling, screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and family planning. Peer educators – young people trained in sexual health basics – play a supportive, informative role within the centre.
The project is also advocating strongly to increase access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, treatment and care services for adolescents in Zimbabwe.