……Includes 134 Primary school girls as Hivos, Inerela Pledge to Support Girl Child SRHR after 4,500 School Girls Impregnated
By Delicious Mathuthu
Gweru, Zimbabwe – East and Southern Africa Hivos Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Fund Ambassador, and Inerela Zimbabwe National Coordinator, Pastor Paul Carries Juru, has expressed concern over the alarming number of girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy in Zimbabwe.
According to recent statistics, 4,557 girls, including 134 primary school girls, were forced to abandon their education due to pregnancy in 2023.
Pastor Juru said the issue clearly highlights systemic failures in society, which include inadequate access to comprehensive sexuality education, lack of access to reproductive health services, and perpetuation of harmful gender norms.
“As a society, we must work together to ensure that girls have access to the information, services, and support they need to make informed choices about their bodies, health, and futures.
“We must also challenge the harmful gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate this issue,” Pastor Juru said.
While the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is taking steps to address the challenge, Pastor Juru said more needs to be done to address the root causes of this problem.
As part of government efforts to curb the alarming levels of school dropouts caused by pregnancy, the concerned Ministry has introduced guidance and counseling in schools and provides maternity leave for pregnant girls.
Society must work together to ensure girls have access to information, services and support to make informed choices about their bodies, health and futures, Pastor Juru said.
He said the organisations he represents are committed to assisting in awareness campaigns.
“Through the Hivos SRHR fund and Inerela Zimbabwe we will continue to support organizations and initiatives that work to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women in Zimbabwe.
“Together, we can create a more just and equitable society where all individuals can thrive,” Pastor Juru said.
Teenage pregnancies have been attributed to lax enforcement of laws, widespread poverty, as well as cultural and religious practices.
Pastor Paul Juru