By Marshia Mutambi

MARONDERA-The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) in Mashonaland East Province recently convened a meeting that was aimed at bolstering Family Planning (FP) and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) initiatives in the region.

The combined second-quarter coordination meeting workshop brought together key stakeholders from various organisations, including Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Victim Friendly Unit (VFU), and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, among others.

ZNFPC Mashonaland East provincial marketing and communications officer, David Murwira said the workshop’s primary objective was to assess and evaluate the progress made by the province in family planning and ASRH programmes.

He said: “We are the custodians of ASRH programmes and, so on a quarterly basis, we invite stakeholders to see if they are speaking to the calls and demands of Vision 2030 which aligns with the National Development Strategy-1 (NDS-1). The strategy places a strong emphasis on leaving no one and no place behind and the health sector is not an exception.”

The workshop’s deliberations centered on identifying gaps in the current programmes, with a particular focus on the perceived overemphasis on empowering the girl child at the expense of the boy child.

Murwira highlighted that the ZNFPC also prioritises critical issues such as drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and mental health.

“By addressing these gaps, our aim is to ensure that the needs of the people are met on the ground. The focus should always be on making inclusive and cohesive plans. Our focal points of interest are on enhancing communication and distribution of family planning material in Masomera, Chipiwa Gardens and Atherstone,” he said.

ZNFPC acting provincial manager, Sarah Dabwa underscored the importance of the platform in addressing gaps and following up on recommended issues through workshops.

She said: “This platform is meant to address some gaps and do follow-ups through workshops on the recommended issues. As officials in the health sector, we recommend that stakeholders meet quarterly for follow-up purposes to ensure progress and accountability.”

The meeting served as a testament to the ZNFPC’s commitment to advancing family planning and ASRH initiatives in Zimbabwe. By providing comprehensive reproductive health services and information, particularly for young people, the organisation is working to promote healthy lifestyles and informed decision-making among the nation’s youth.

As the country continues to navigate the complexities of adolescent health, the organisation’s efforts are poised to play a critical role in shaping the nation’s response to these pressing issues.

Through such initiatives, the ZNFPC is not only enhancing the well-being of Zimbabwe’s adolescents but also contributing to the realization of the Vision 2030 aspirations and its efforts are expected to have a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people across the country.