Young women have been cautioned against the use of ‘traditional family planning methods’ that are not medically approved.
This advice comes after a lot of family planning misconceptions expressed by young women in Torwood, Kwekwe.
During the commemorations of the World Contraceptive day and International Safe Abortion day in Torwood last Friday, young women expressed a lack of knowledge of the recommended family planning methods.
“Is it true that if I swallow marijuana seed after having sexual intercourse I will not get pregnant?” asked another woman.
“I heard that family planning pills reduce a woman’s appetite for sex, I want to know if that is true and how that can be solved,” added one Chipo Ncube.
Responding to these misconceptions, Ministry of Health and Child Care nurse Praise Kangaise, dispelled the misconceptions and urged women to approach their nearest clinics whenever they face challenges with family planning methods.
Women were also urged to shun backyard abortions as they lead to serious health complications and even deaths.
“I urge young women to use recommended family planning methods such as depo provera, oral contraceptive pills, jadelle among others. Use medically approved family planning methods, always, ” said Kangaise.
On the same occasion, Katswe Sistahood representative in Kwekwe district Chengetai Chininga urged young women and girls to know their rights so that they will not be used and get infected with sexually transmitted infections or get unwanted pregnancies.
“As Katswe Sistahood we want women to be fully empowered with skills so that they can be self-sustaining. We want young women to know their rights so that they will not be abused and get infected with STIs,” she said.
Chininga also urged women to get access to Sexual Reproductive Health Services to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and STIs.
“I encourage everyone here to get the family planning services that are being offered here for free and also get tested for HIV so that you know your status.
“We also have cervical cancer screening services (VIAC) offered free of charge,” added Chininga.
The commemorations were facilitated by Katswe Sistahood in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development with the support of other stakeholders.
Women were given access to free cervical cancer screening and family planning services.
“I am really grateful to the organisers of this event because they have opened my eyes through the knowledge imparted to me today and I am very grateful for the family planning services that were given for free, ” said one Mary Vhunzawabaya (18) a mother of one.
