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State of denial : A wake up call on the changing needs of adolescents in Zimbabwe
Women and AIDS Support Network (WASN)
By Gladys Chiwome
September 30, 2002

A recent newspaper report detailing the level of HIV infection among adolescents, particularly girls, sent shock-waves throughout the country and served as a wake-up call to alert the nation on the neglected information and sexual health needs of Zimbabwe’s youth.

According to a Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) survey conducted in 1999, young people constitute 36 percent of the population of Zimbabwe. About 26 percent of females aged between 15-24 are infected with HIV/AIDS, while the infection rate among boys is about 13 percent .

The rates of teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality are also alarming, with an estimated 70 000 unsafe abortions being performed annually, mostly among teenagers.

The survey also points out the level of ignorance about sexually transmitted illnesses (STI) among adolescents. "25 percent of adolescents did not know what STI’s were, and young women from rural areas were the least informed," the survey states, adding that this predisposes the youth to HIV infection.

These glaring facts are brought out in a recent research "State of Denial; Adolescent Reproductive Rights in Zimbabwe," that was jointly conducted by the United States-based Centre for Reproductive Law and Policy and the local Child Law Foundation.

Launched early this year, the research brings to the fore some of the problems related to adolescent sexual health and rights in Zimbabwe, while examining their causes.

The research notes that there are legal, policy and social barriers in Zimbabwe that inhibit adolescents’ enjoyment of their full sexual, reproductive health and rights.

Laws still mandate parental consent in terms of access to information on reproductive health and health service providers still reinforce this aspect. Due to this, adolescents are discriminated against on the basis of age and gender resulting in them being denied access to reproductive health information that is vital for their survival in the area of HIV/AIDS. This also affects their ability to access protection methods that would prevent them from getting infected.

The research also brings out the negative impact of cultural attitudes and expectations of girls, which create additional barriers for them in accessing information. While it is believed that these cultural taboos are slowly eroding, on the ground that is not exactly the situation. The girl child for example is socialised into being passive rather than assertive and this in most cases predisposes her to HIV infection.

"State of Denial" shows the need to equip the youth, and the girls in particular, with sexual and reproductive health information so that they can deal with situations that are either socially, culturally, politically and economically embedded.

In light of the challenges being faced by the youth and more so adolescent girls, nobody can afford to remain in this ‘state of denial’ and assume that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is not ravaging the youth.

The country’s HIV/AIDS statistics clearly reflect the need for urgent ways to redress the situation.

It is against this background that WASN is working towards the creation of an atmosphere in which women and girls enjoy full sexual, reproductive health and rights in the area of HIV/AIDS. It aims to ensure the creation of a clear-cut reproductive health policy that targets the youth, who are the most vulnerable to HIV infection.

WASN is working towards these goals through conducting research and advocacy, working on the premise that equipping girls with reproductive health information and life skills will empower them in various aspects of their lives in the face of the AIDS pandemic.

Although WASN generally targets girls in its activities, it also incorporates the boy child, sensitises community leaders, parents, health workers and the school institution as a whole on the issue of the girl child.

The idea of targeting different stakeholders rose out of the need to create a supportive atmosphere for the girl child within which she can enjoy or exercise her full sexual, reproductive health and rights.

There is need however for everyone to come out of the state of denial they are currently in and face the reality, then work towards bringing back positive aspects in our society as far as the HIV/AIDS issue is concerned. The HIV pandemic is affecting everyone, not just the infected, hence the need for everyone to play his or her part with regards to prevention and fostering positive living. This prevention aspect also entails access to information as well as health service facilities without being discriminated against.

WASN has also published a reproductive health package for the girl child. Though the target is the girl, one finds that the books are beneficial to almost everyone. Everyone that seeks to foster that atmosphere where women and girls enjoy their sexual, reproductive health and rights should definitely get hold of the package.

Finally lets come out of the state of denial that we are currently in and work in solidarity towards improving the lives of our youth, particularly the girl child who rates the highest in terms of STI and HIV infection.

As the research rightly points out: "It is time to end the state of denial that has undermined adolescents’ ability to protect themselves from serious, potentially life threatening health risks."

Adolescents’ rights are firmly rooted in the most basic and fundamental human rights principles as pointed out in major human rights treaties and conventions and it is time to adhere to these instruments for the benefit of the youth.

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