Teen sex: Debate rages on
November 1, 2013
Vitalis Kavele Features Writer
A series of insightful inter-high school debates held around Zimbabwe are
bringing in fresh ideas on how teenagers think about sexual and reproductive
health issues affecting them.
Teenagers in Zimbabwe and around Africa face challenges ranging from teenage
pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, drug abuse and promiscuity
among others.
One such debate with the motion Allowing minors to access contraceptives in
Zimbabwe is a progressive and necessary development in the 21st century was
held on October 11 by the Mbare Association of Colleges at Stodart Hall
where at least 200 teenagers between 13 and 18 years from Arch Academy,
Crystal College, Honours Academy, Reliance College and Quick Pass Academy
participated.
The students who supported the motion reasonably revealed that it is not a
secret that teenagers are engaging in sex and are exposed to serious
sexually-related problems just like the adults.
Nyasha Zavare (18), a Lower Six pupil from Cabal Christian College in Mbare,
said the society is faced with a harsh reality that minors need to be
protected from the effects of preliminary sexual engagements.
Although Zimbabwe is a Christian nation, the idea that minors access
contraceptives should be seriously considered as this would lead to a
considerable reduction in teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted
infections, he said.
Quick Pass Academy Ordinary Level pupil Crynos Momingo said that parents
should embrace the idea that minors be allowed to access contraceptives
since it is the guaranteed way to ensure safety from sexually related
problems.
Momingo (17) said: It remains a challenge to effectively deter minors from
sexual practice hence it is visibly safe to give them contraceptive.
The opposing side, however, argued from a moral perspective saying allowing
minors access to contraceptives would be tantamount to giving them the green
light to engage in sexual activities against the tenets of our
socialisation.
This was despite the fact that they acknowledged that the technical
challenge will remain.
They vehemently argued that the African culture regards open talk on sex and
reproduction as taboo and that submitting to the idea that young people be
allowed access to contraceptives would be equivalent to acculturation.
Eva Ngoma (18) from Crystal College argued that Government should never give
in to cultural subversion under the pretext of international best practice.
Minors still need parental guidance. We have our own way of mitigating
sexually related challenges like abstinence of which our churches are always
seized with.
Yolanda Gweshe buttressed the argument that contraceptives need not to be
availed to minors.
Such a move would be a sure green light for the kids to engage sexually.
There, however, is some parity in the discussions by adolescents from
distinctive economic, social and religious backgrounds although conclusively
there is dire need to de-construct the peoples mindsets and reconstruct the
same in accordance with the realistic contextual dictates, as young people
are equally exposed to sexual health challenges which, if left unattended,
have a negative bearing to their future.
These watershed debates are organised by the Zimbabwe Children Support
Organisation and the New Generations Trust under the theme Let them speak
with the aim of creating a defining moment on the thorny issue of
contraceptives. Zichiso programmes co-ordinator Mr Martin Mavhengere, who is
the chief adjudicator of the debates, noted an acknowledgement in sexual
activities among teenagers while others argue that having contraceptives
availed to minors needs to be dismissed with contempt.
He observed that it was imperative that the youngsters are engaged as part
of searching for solutions to the sexually related challenges they face.
He wanted the intensification of debates on this topical issue so as to
emerge with the best way forward that serves the interests of all affected
groups.
We cannot afford to shy away from this thorny issue; its better we bring
it forward and deliberate on it such that whatever action is taken
thereafter will be well informed, he said.
New Generations Trust programmes co-ordinator Mr Elton Shumba shared the
same sentiments that Zimbabwes national moral values and Christian
background need to be upheld amidst continued efforts to interrogate how
safe sex information be made a priority and commonplace even to minors in
the endeavour to reducing the HIV and Aids prevalence.
Health experts say there is certainly need to waive a bit on idealism and
allow for realistic diagnosis of issues affecting our minors.
The Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey 2010/11 reported a high rate of
teenage pregnancies (10,8 percent), for the 15 to 19 age group attributable
to common sexual relationships between adolescent girls and men five to 10
years older.
The high HIV prevalence of 4,2 percent among women aged 15 to 19 (ZDHS
2010/11) allegedly fuelled by inter-generational sexual relationships is a
serious cause for concern that should not be left to providence alone.
Ultimately it seems the nation has lost the war as more teenagers are
engaging in sexual activity exposing them to HIV.
The experts believe that these statistics vividly demonstrate that young
peoples limited access to contraceptives is a sad phenomenon that needs
urgent attention.
Although Government is guided by social, cultural and medical factors in the
formulation of all policies, teenage pregnancy remains a serious social
problem whose successful reduction is embedded in an open, tolerant,
realistic attitude to sexuality.
The underlying factor here is that some of these minors acknowledge
indulgence in sexual activities and they say they are better off with
contraceptives to guard against unwanted pregnancies and the contraction of
sexually transmitted diseases.
There are no easy answers to this. Zimbabweans will have to decide on their
own.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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