Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 September – The International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action recognised that reproductive health and rights, as well as women's empowerment and gender equality, are cornerstones of population and development programmes. This important conference is what has grounded UNFPA’s work over the years. Since then we have seen marked progress in ensuring access to sexual reproductive health and rights the world over, including in Zimbabwe.
For example, in 1994 modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate in Zimbabwe was at 42% and today it stands at 67%, one of the highest in Africa. This is steady progress that Zimbabwe is making in the various areas related to the ICPD agenda.
On World Contraception Day, commemorated each year on 26 September we reflect on the journey of provision of contraceptives in Zimbabwe with support of our partners under the Health Development Fund – the Governments of Britain, Ireland, Sweden and the European Union.
Did you know that they were days when women used to jump shrubs or tie knots around their waists as a means of family planning? Today where we have modern and more effective means of contraceptive.
See how far we have come in the collection of real life stories: https://zimbabwe.unfpa.org/en/publications/power-choice-pregnancy-choice-not-chance
