Youth with disabilities demand continuation of life-changing SRHR program in Kwekwe
n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n Kwekwe— Young people with disabilities in Kwekwe have called for the urgent continuation of the My Body, My Future program, describing it as a lifeline for their sexual and reproductive health rights and personal
anostrofy By Dumisani Ndlovu
Kwekwe— Young people with disabilities in Kwekwe have called for the urgent continuation of the My Body, My Future program, describing it as a lifeline for their sexual and reproductive health rights and personal empowerment.
The call came during a Disability Fair held on Friday, where participants shared firsthand accounts of transformation and voiced concern over the program’s scheduled conclusion in December 2025.
Launched in 2022, My Body, My Future has reached thousands of youth across 11 wards in Kwekwe and 15 in Bulawayo.
The initiative, implemented by a consortium including the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ), Plan International Zimbabwe, Sexual Rights Centre, and Intwasa, has provided inclusive education on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and Plan Finland.
“This program gave me the confidence to speak up and take control of my life,” said Prince Mutemarenga, a young participant who credited the initiative with helping him overcome substance abuse and low self-esteem. “Before this, even my own family sidelined me. Now I’ve started a self-help project that’s already showing results.”
Other participants echoed similar sentiments. A teenage girl who is deaf said the program taught her to respect her body and see herself as a person with a future. “I now understand my worth—not just spiritually, but socially. I feel empowered,” she said through a sign language interpreter.
Parents and elders also acknowledged the program’s impact. “We learned how to support our children better and talk about sensitive issues,” said Mrs. Rudo Chikore, whose child is enrolled in the program. “It changed how we view disability and sexuality.”
Despite these successes, participants expressed deep concern over the program’s looming end. They argued that the initiative should be integrated into national policy to ensure its sustainability. “This is not just a donor-funded project—it’s a blueprint for inclusive development,” said Mr. Tendai Mudzviti, a disability rights advocate attending the fair.
Praise Ndebele, Programs Manager for My Body, My Future, addressed the crowd, urging government and service providers to close the gap between policy and practice. She cited Zimbabwe’s 2021 National Disability Policy, which affirms the rights of people with disabilities to make choices about their bodies, access accurate SRHR information, and receive respectful health services.
“The policy is a milestone, but it must be implemented,” Ndebele said. “Young people with disabilities are not passive recipients—they are leaders. We must invest in their ability to advocate for themselves and ensure health systems are inclusive and accessible.”
Participants called for disability-sensitive training for healthcare workers, improved infrastructure in clinics, and continued peer education programs. They emphasized that ending the initiative would reverse progress made in empowering youth and protecting their rights.
As the December 2025 deadline approaches, the message from Kwekwe’s youth is clear: My Body, My Future must not end. For them, it is not just a program—it is a promise of dignity, autonomy, and a future they are determined to claim.
