Ayesha Nyanzunda
The government, in collaboration with development partners, has launched the “Not in My Village” campaign, an initiative aimed at combating child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
The campaign was officially inaugurated by Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, during the World Population Day commemorations held this morning at Nzvimbo High School in Glen Dale, Mashonaland Central.
In his speech, Dr. Mombeshora emphasised the importance of the campaign, saying, “It gives me great pleasure to announce that today, the government of Zimbabwe, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is launching the ‘Not in My Village’ campaign as part of our efforts to address the problem of teenage pregnancy.”
The campaign is youth-led, with young people and adolescents spearheading the initiative through the Young People’s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Traditional leaders will play a crucial role in implementing the campaign within their communities.
Dr. Mombeshora highlighted the urgency of the issue.
“The continued high rates of teenage pregnancies indicate that we must strengthen our interventions. We are committed to scaling up our programs to ensure that all young people have access to the information, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”
United Nations Zimbabwe Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon, also spoke at the event, expressing the UN’s commitment to the cause.
“Teenage pregnancies are robbing our girls of their futures. The UN stands with Zimbabwe in championing the #NotInMyVillage campaign, a strategic initiative to end this crisis and ensure every girl can reach her full potential,” said Kallon.
To mark World Population Day 2024 and the launch of the “Not in My Village” campaign, Dr. Mombeshora, Edward Kallon, UNFPA, and other partners planted fruit trees at Nzvimbo High School.
The orchard was donated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with support from UNFPA.
This year’s World Population Day is being commemorated under the theme “Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All,” coinciding with the launch of the “Not in My Village” campaign to combat child marriages and teenage pregnancies.