INERELA+ Zimbabwe Sounds Alarm Over 9, 800 Teenage Pregnancies Yearly in Matabeleland North

INERELA+ Zimbabwe Sounds Alarm Over 9,800 Teenage Pregnancies Yearly in Matabeleland North

By Delicious Mathuthu

Lupane, Zimbabwe - Recent figures from the Zimbabwe Health Survey and provincial health records, Matabeleland North Province recorded a staggering 21,384 pregnancies among teenage girls between January 2023 and March 2025.

The statistics, which translate to about 9,800 yearly, represent a teenage pregnancy rate of approximately 25%, significantly higher than the national average of 23%.

Zimbabwe National Coordinator for International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+), and Hivos Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Fund Ambassador for East and Southern Africa, Pastor Paul Carries Juru, says the figures are disturbing hence the need for urgent and coordinated action to avert the situation.

INERELA+ is a global, interfaith community of clergy and lay leaders who are either living with HIV or have been personally impacted by it.

Pastor Juru said the alarming statistics are a clarion call for collective action, stressing the need for national government to increase investment in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services.

“National governments must allocate sufficient resources to SRHR services, ensuring access to quality healthcare, education and information for all, particularly adolescents and young people,” he said.

Pastor Juru also said community involvement is key, noting that progress in SRHR cannot be achieved without grassroots engagement.

“Communities must take an active role in promoting SRHR service uptake, breaking down barriers, and fostering a culture of openness and support,” he said

He also underlined the urgency of implementing comprehensive sexuality education in schools which is crucial for equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

He highlighted cultural barriers as a major challenge, calling on local traditional leaders to take action.

“Traditional leaders have a critical role in combating harmful cultural practices that perpetuate child sexual exploitation and promoting positive, protective norms," Pastor Juru said.

The call comes amid mounting concerns about child marriages and adolescent maternal health risks in Zimbabwe.

Health officials report that Umguza District alone accounted for 8,468 of the recorded pregnancies, nearly 40% of the provincial total during the same period.

Wider national data shows that 21% of all antenatal bookings in recent years were made by girls aged between 10 and 19 years, an estimated 358,000 adolescents.

“We urge governments, communities, and stakeholders to work together to address the root causes of teenage pregnancies and child marriages.

“By prioritizing SRHR, we can create a future where young people can thrive, reach their full potential, and enjoy their rights without fear or constraint," Pastor Juru said.