• Matjinge Clinic Opens Doors to Better Care for Women

    The opening of Gambu rural health centre brings to an end pregnant women's suffering in getting proper health services in Bulilima district.

    The official opening of Gambu Clinic has lightened the load for villagers who had to walk up to 20 kilometres to access nearest health facility.

    BY MELODY MPANDE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 3, 2023

    Read more

  • Remaining Green Amidst of Environmental Threats in Matabeleland

    Hwange's environmental hazards caused by widespread mining are proving a threat to the region’s green economy. Image by iStock

    After years of intact environment and unspoiled natural resources in Matabeleland, the region needs measures to remain green as human induced threats pose serious threats to biodiversity.

    BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 3, 2023

    Read more

  • Hwange Residents Increasingly Bear Brunt of Climate Change

    In Hwange, climate experts forecast less rainfall and increasing rainfall unpredictability resulting in recurrent droughts. Image by AdobeStock

    In Hwange, the environmental, human, economic and social costs of climate change are increasingly becoming more clear—negative developments that require urgent action.

    BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 30, 2023

    Read more

  • Community Advocates Help Dozens of Marginalized Youths Enroll for Nursing

    To debunk myths that in Matabeleland there are no qualified youths, community advocates help dozens of youths enroll for nursing. Image by NewZimbabwe

    With over 500 applicants from Matabeleland already assisted, they are working to improve their initiative.

    BY DIVINE DUBE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 27, 2023

    Read more

  • Human-Wildlife Conflict Scourge: In Mat North, Predators Escalate Livestock Losses

    Hwange National Park wildlife location in Zimbabwe, Africa | Wildlife Worldwide

    Predators such as wolves are giving villagers a torrid time. Photo: Wildlife Worldwide

    In Matetsi, wild animals are interfering with livestock farming. Villagers say their livelihoods are at risk.

    BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 22, 2023

    Read more

  • No Water Bucket, No Treatment: The Plight of Patients at Garanyemba Clinic

    Without a bucket of water, expecting mothers are turned away. Photo: AI

    At Garanyemba Clinic, you either bring a bucket of water or don't get treated. The community is searching for a lasting solution.

    BY MELODY MPANDE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 18, 2023

    Read more

  • Manama Hospital in Dismal State Despite $28M Investment

     Lack of funds stalls renovations at Manama Mission HospitalManama Mission Hospital (File photo)

    Several months after receiving millions of dollars from the central government and independent donors for renovations and upgrades, the hospital remains in a dismal state. The community is seeking answers.

    BY MELODY MPANDE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 16, 2023

    Read more

  • Teen Pregnancies and STIs A Fresh Headache for Matabeleland

    Illustration generated using AI/The Citizen Bulletin

    Teenage pregnancies and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections are threatening the social fabric of Matabeleland. Victims blame ignorance.

    BY MELODY MPANDE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 12, 2023

    Read more

  • Hunting Ban Backtracks Community Development

    A lion roaming in Hwange National Park. Photo by National Geographic 

    Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, villagers benefited from the proceeds of hunting which they used to build critical infrastructure such as schools and clinics. With the outbreak of the disease, all that was lost.

    CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 6, 2023

    Read more

Written by The Citizen Bulletin on .

Teen Pregnancies and STIs A Fresh Headache for Matabeleland

Illustration generated using AI/The Citizen Bulletin

Teenage pregnancies and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections are threatening the social fabric of Matabeleland. Victims blame ignorance.

BY MELODY MPANDE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | JAN 12, 2023

GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — At the age of 13, still a very ambitious and stubborn teen, Nanae Dlomo* chose to stay behind in the city with her father after her parents separated.

She did not like the idea of moving back to the village with her mother and her younger siblings. Dlomo’s upbringing had a negative impact on her social life and she ended up getting pregnant at an early age.

“Without a mother, I had no one else to guide me and teach me about sex and contraceptives. I’m in this predicament because of that,” says Dlomo.

Dlomo, just like many other teenage mothers in Gwanda, strongly believes that inadequate information on contraceptives has led to high teenage pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Another young woman, Mirriam Ndlovu*, says she got infected with an STI due to inadequate information on how to protect herself.

“If l had known, l would have made informed choices on sexual and reproductive health,” she says. “But I didn’t have enough information then.”

In Matabeleland South, research shows that school children, especially girls, engage in sexual intercourse at an early age. The situation is the same in the northern side of the region.