By Takudzwa Mashumba
Ministry of Health and Child Welfare has denied allegations reports from the local paper that Zimbabwe wants to issue contraceptives and condoms to 10yr olds in a move to curb an increase in teenage pregnancies all over the country.
Addressing the media recently Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said although cases of teenage pregnancies are increasing in the country, the Ministry had plans and strategies that have been put in place to address the issue including the National Adolescence Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy ASRH.
“We absolutely say no to giving contraceptives to children as young as 10years. We want to give education to the children as they grow up and that education is age related, you just can’t give the same protective health and sex education to a 10year old as you would give to 15year old”.
“Our policy regarding children at school, we advocate for delaying sexual activity until after the age of marriage, which in this country is 16years not 10years”, says Parirenyatwa.
Reports from the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey shows an increase in teenage pregnancies from 21% during the period of 2001-2004 to 24% between the period 2010-2011.
The age of those falling pregnant was never below 15years.
Reports from the local media have spread rumours that the government has approved that contraceptives be distributed to 10year olds leading to many parents reacting with panic to the reports.
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