State of Denial: Adolescent Reproductive Rights in Zimbabwe

Using a human rights fact-finding methodology, researchers from the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Child and Law Foundation in Zimbabwe documented legal, policy and social barriers to Zimbabwean adolescents' enjoyment of their international human right to access dual protection methods and information. "State of Denial: Adolescent Reproductive Rights in Zimbabwe" examines the realities of adolescents' sexual and reproductive lives and argues that the government has a duty under international human rights law to take action to ensure adolescents' human rights.

From the Executive Summary

This report focuses on one crucial aspect of adolescent reproductive rights in Zimbabwe: the right to access dual protection methods and information. Adolescents constitute approximately 36% of the total population of Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe faces the awesome task of meeting the crucial needs of this special group, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and STIs.

"State of Denial" documents legal, policy and social barriers to Zimbabwean adolescents' enjoyment of their international human right to access dual protection methods and information. Using a human rights fact-finding methodology, conclusions and recommendations are based upon an analysis of Zimbabwean laws and policies, as well as interviews conducted with over 800 adolescents, parents, family members, government officials and service providers. This investigation reveals a systematic denial of adolescents' right to access dual protection methods and information.

The report recommends that the Zimbabwean governments take steps to provide adolescents with dual protection methods and information. The government should simplify its patchwork of inconsistent laws and policies to promote the ability of young people to obtain methods of contraception and STI prevention.

The government of Zimbabwe also should examine the way its current policies relating to adolescents are being implemented and enact changes to ensure that their human right to access dual protection methods and information is being upheld.