A community dialogue in Bindura on abortion was organised by a consortium of NGOs, including Right Here, Right Now, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Real Open Opportunities Trust Support and Katswe Sisterhood in the last week of November 2018. Zimbabwe has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, estimated at 651 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, in contrast to a declining worldwide trend. Members of the National Assembly from three portfolio committees – Women’s Affairs and Small and Medium Enterprises; Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; and Health and Child Care – as well as representatives from local universities, youths, Government departments and members of the community, were invited to participate. The meeting recommended: “…that authorities broaden the circumstances under which abortion is legally permitted and educate health care professionals and the public about legal provision in order to reduce the number of clandestine and unsafe procedures.”
SOURCE: Herald Zimbabwe, 3 December 2018 ; PHOTO