Elinciya Witman & Wesley Murove
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) recently took a bold step in addressing pressing issues of adolescent sexual reproductive health (ASRH) and family planning by appointing two prominent champions, Elias Magwinya and Mercury Chanetsa.
“ This significant partnership was formalized at a ceremony held at the ZNFPC’s Midlands office, where both champions signed a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at making substantial contributions to the province’s health landscape.
Elias Magwinya, widely known as ‘DJ VAS,’ is recognized for his passionate advocacy for youth empowerment and sexual health awareness.
In his commitment to the initiative, he declared to remove misconceptions regarding family planning, drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, and sexual abuse, which are taking away the youth.
“With experience extending over a decade in peer education with the National Aids Council, promise to curb the spread of drug substance abuse and early childhood marriage through initiative, Artists Against HIV/AIDS, leveraging art as a platform for education and awareness. Partnering with Magwinya, Mercury Chanetsa brings her strong background in community work, having collaborated with various organizations, including Women Affairs and CeSHHAR Zimbabwe.
“I will ensure all women utilize family planning by engaging various organizations and prominent figures,” Chanetsa affirmed.
She emphasized her commitment to engaging rural communities, aligning with the campaign’s mantra of ‘leave no one and no place behind.’
This appointment arrives at a critical point as the Midlands province faces alarming statistics concerning teenage pregnancies and unmet family planning needs.
Recent figures from the National Aids Council reveal that 28% of teenagers in the province have experienced pregnancy, with an alarming 9.5% of women reporting unmet needs for family planning services.
The newly appointed champions will collaborate with ZNFPC to fight cultural and social barriers that obstruct access to family planning.
Their focus will also extend to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention, involving youths and vulnerable groups across the province.
This strategic partnership aims to enhance collaborative efforts to improve health outcomes and empower individuals to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health.
Both champions will receive comprehensive training and support, along with promotional materials, to effectively advocate for family planning initiatives.
They are expected to develop and submit a detailed work plan outlining the activities they intend to undertake.
Through this initiative, ZNFPC and the appointed champions are poised to foster a culture of awareness, accessibility, and informed decision-making regarding sexual and reproductive health across the Midlands province, ensuring a healthier future for the community.
