Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 199
- 101
Zimbabwe is exploring administrative and policy changes to improve access to legal abortion services, following the removal of a proposed amendment that sought to make it easier for women to access services.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told Parliament on Wednesday that Government was working with other ministries to improve the implementation of the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977.
The proposed Clause 11 of the Medical Services Amendment Bill, which aimed to simplify procedures and reduce administrative barriers, was removed during the legislative process. A recent Constitutional Court ruling has also affected efforts to broaden the legal grounds for terminating a pregnancy.
Responding to a question from Hwange Central MP Daniel Molokele, Mombeshora acknowledged that women and adolescent girls who qualify for legal termination still face challenges accessing services.
Under the current law, termination of pregnancy is permitted in limited circumstances, including rape, incest and where continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's life.
The Minister outlined five measures Government is pursuing to improve access without changing the existing legal grounds.
First, the Ministry is reviewing clinical guidelines and training healthcare workers at district and provincial hospitals to ensure they understand the legal requirements. The aim is to reduce unnecessary referrals and delays.
Second, Government plans to decentralise lawful termination and post-abortion care services to more healthcare facilities, reducing the need for women to travel to major hospitals.
Third, the Ministry is working with civil society organisations and community health workers to raise awareness about the circumstances in which termination of pregnancy is permitted under Zimbabwean law.
Fourth, Government will continue working with development partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Population Services Zimbabwe, to strengthen healthcare services, particularly for survivors of sexual violence.
The fifth measure involves reviewing policies and engaging stakeholders on possible legal reforms.
Mombeshora said the Ministry was working with the Ministries of Justice and Home Affairs to examine how the existing law could be implemented more effectively and how administrative requirements could be simplified for those who qualify.
He also acknowledged the need to review the 1977 law in light of Zimbabwe's 2013 Constitution and legislation introduced since then.
Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa questioned whether Government was taking steps to bring the Act into line with the current constitutional framework.
In response, Mombeshora confirmed that the Ministry was reviewing outdated legislation and consulting other Government departments, Parliament and development partners on possible reforms.
He said the aim was to develop a more modern legal framework while considering public health needs, human rights obligations and cultural sensitivities.
Despite the removal of Clause 11 from the Medical Services Amendment Bill, the Minister said Government would continue working to improve access through better clinical guidance, decentralised services, public awareness and partnerships.
The proposed changes are intended to help women and adolescent girls who already qualify under the law access services without unnecessary delays or administrative obstacles.
