By Judith Kajuma
Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating World population Day which has been celebrated globally since 1989.
Running under the theme; Family Planning is a Human Right the 2018 Population Day’s marks the 50th anniversary of the 1968 International Conference on Human Rights where family planning was for the first time globally affirmed to be a human right.
Addressing members of the media at the United Nations Information Centre in Harare United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Dr Esther Muia, said there is overwhelming evidence suggesting that Family Planning can be a developing strategy for improving health and wellbeing while reducing poverty and empowering women.
“Family Planning is human right which empowers women and girls and helps save lives and pregnancy should be by choice and not be by chance,” Dr Muia said.
She added that limited access to Family Planning information and services particularly for young girls and those in remote areas is a great concern considering the high teenage pregnancies in girls below 18 years.
Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Health and Childcare and Zimbabwe National Family Council.
