September 23, 2022

Sweden commends Zimbabwe on women, girl’s rights gains

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Mirirai Nsingo

The Government of Sweden has commended Zimbabwe for the work done over the years in strengthening women and girls’ sexual reproductive health rights for sustainable development.

Speaking on behalf of the Swedish Ambassador Åsa Pehrson at the 2Gether4SRHR close out and review meeting in Harare on Friday, National programme officer at the embassy, Memory Mutsaka , emphasised sexual reproductive health rights remained an important issue globally, which the Swedish Government strongly advocated for.

“I would like to commend the efforts and commitment demonstrated in this programme, the impressive results being shared are a product of great teamwork and integration

“We do this because these rights are absolute-every adolescent, woman and girl should be able to make the decisions about her own body. Every person should be treated with respect and dignity, in the eyes of the law and in their life,” she said.

“Sweden has a long-term commitment to SRHR in Africa, and this work is an integral component of the Swedish Government’s Feminist Foreign Policy. 10 percent of our official development assistance goes to health, of which 60 percent supports sexual reproductive health rights.”

Zimbabwe has commended the commitment that has been shown by the Swedish Government in response to unanticipated challenges such as Cyclone Idai, Covid-19 pandemic among other programmes.

“We are grateful for the support from the Swedish Government which came timely through sexual reproductive health rights initiatives, gender based violence programmes, HIV response especially during the Cyclone Idai and Covid-19 pandemic error,” Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza said.

Dubbed the 2Gether4SRHR, the programme supporting sexual and reproductive health, HIV and Gender Based Violence integration started in 2018 with funding from Sweden comes to an end this September.

The United Nations Resident coordinator, Edward Kallon concurred the programme went a long way in addressing a myriad of challenges faced by girls and women in Zimbabwe.

“The focus of this programme was to strengthen health and community systems to improve access to sexual reproductive health, HIV and gender-based violence services for the most vulnerable and marginalised groups, who include adolescent girls and young women, people living with HIV, and key populations among others.”

 

 

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