Situation Analysis in Victoria Range
Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), My Age Zimbabwe, Chosen generation, Health Centre Committee (HCC), and DAWA hosted a community dialogue and situation analysis titled “Amplify Youth Voices” on the 14th of August 2025. This brought together 25 young people and key stakeholders to examine the state of youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services in Victoria Range. The activity aimed to assess the availability, accessibility, and utilisation of SRHR services, while exploring strategies to improve health-seeking behaviour and reduce drug and substance abuse among young people.
The dialogue began with a short drama showcasing the pressing challenges youth face, followed by presentations from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training, the City Council, and the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU). Stakeholders shared insights and made commitments to address the identified gaps. Discussions highlighted multiple barriers to accessing health services, including long distances to clinics, extended queues, limited confidentiality, and staff shortages. Participants also expressed concern over water scarcity, which affects hygiene and menstrual health, unsafe abortions, and health hazards near local dumpsites.
A critical theme that emerged was the increasing drug and substance abuse, which drives risky sexual behaviours and contributes to unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Young people highlighted the need for targeted interventions, including improved SRHR services, mental health support, and initiatives addressing poverty-related vulnerabilities. Additional barriers included the absence of sign language interpreters, affecting youth with disabilities, and frequent rotation of police officers, which hinders timely reporting of cases.
Commitments from stakeholders included intensified mobile clinics, improved confidentiality at health facilities, budgetary inclusion of youth needs, and continuous monitoring by the Ministry of Health and City Council. The Ministry of Youth pledged to incorporate Victoria Range concerns in its reports, while police capacity-building on victim-friendly practices was recommended.
The way forward involves youth taking responsibility for their health, accessing services without hesitation, and collaborating with authorities to sustain advocacy efforts. Recommendations also included expanding sign language services and building the capacity of healthcare and law enforcement personnel to be more youth-friendly.
The dialogue reinforced that evidence-based sessions foster accountability, informed planning, and practical solutions. By amplifying youth voices, the activity highlighted the critical role of community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and tailored interventions in improving SRHR access and safeguarding the well-being of young people in Masvingo.
