UNICEF-Zimbabwe has launched a communication campaign on adolescents to run from October to December 2023 under the slogan: Nothing for us, without us.
The campaign will highlight the situation of adolescents, their power as actors of change in their communities, and the programme work done by UNICEF, the government of Zimbabwe, and their partners for adolescents to address their needs.
According to Jacqueline Kabambe, UNICEF-Zimbabwe Chief of HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Development, an adolescent is any person who is aged between 10 and 19 years. The UN agency reports that Zimbabwe has an estimated total population of 15.2 million people, of which 1.8 million are adolescents, 12% of the total population.
Kabambe said that adolescents in Zimbabwe face multiple challenges, which include 22% of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 becoming child bearers. She said that a third of the maternal deaths are among adolescents aged 10 to 19.
UNICEF-Zimbabwe also reports that there are over 85,000 adolescents living with HIV. It also states that 4.1% of girls aged 13 to 17 experience sexual violence.
The organization also says that Zimbabwe is home to over 1 million child brides, with 1 in 3 young women having married in childhood.
Forty-seven per cent of adolescents are reported to be out of school in the country.
“All of these deprivations impede adolescent development, especially the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural capacities that support the health and well-being of the children,” Kabambe said.
She said that since adolescents represent the future of the country, one of the most important commitments a country can make for future economic, social and political progress is to address their developmental needs.
UNICEF-Zimbabwe adds that early adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 14, is a particular age when enduring patterns of healthy behaviour can be developed.
Kabambe said that developing healthy patterns from the start is easier than changing risky behaviours that are already entrenched.
She said that Zimbabwe has made progress in addressing matters affecting adolescents. Some of the achievements include the recent passing of the Marriages Act which prohibits the marriage of minors under the age of 18. The Education Amendment Act is reported by UNICEF-Zimbabwe to have made provisions for school retention for pregnant girls and adolescent mothers, free basic education, abolishment of corporal punishment as well and provision of free sanitary wear for girls in primary and secondary schools.
Kabambe also said that Zimbabwe has a Youth Policy and Strategy which has prioritized participation and economic development including skills development for employability.
UNICEF-Zimbabwe said that it also aims to support efforts by the government of Zimbabwe to advance the development and participation of adolescents aged 10 to 19 in matters affecting them and to ensure adolescents, especially the adolescent girls, those with disabilities and the most vulnerable are empowered and equipped with knowledge, skills and opportunities to become socially and economically resilient.
In its work for adolescents, UNICEF-Zimbabwe prioritises five cross-sectoral strategic interventions which include prevention and management of adolescent pregnancies, support on sexual reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS for adolescent girls, promotion of skills, entrepreneurship and employability, tackling substance and drug abuse and stimulating adolescent participation
