AUDA-NEPAD raises youth, media awareness for AU Year of Nutrition

By Baboloki Semele The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) seeks to hold a two-day youth and media awareness and orientation symposium on the AU year of nutrition. The two-day orientation billed for 9th and 10th August in Accra, Ghana will be held under the theme “Strengthening Resilience…

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Licensing of medicinal cannabis: ZCLDN calls for alignment of laws

The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) is calling for the alignment of laws following the move by the government when on April 27, 2018, Zimbabwe became the second African country to legalise growing cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes. As such, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) recently invited licensed cannabis and…

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Global Consortium welcomes reduced price for patient-friendly treatment to prevent TB

The Aurum Institute and its partners also announced the launch of the next phase of work to improve access to shorter TB prevention treatments for children and pregnant women The IMPAACT4TB Consortium, led by the Aurum Institute, welcomed this week’s announcement by Unitaid and MedAccess of two new pricing agreements that will drastically lower the price of…

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The HIV response is in danger—the promise of ending AIDS is under threat

By Sophia Mukasa Monico, UNAIDS Country Director Data just released in the new UNAIDS global AIDS report, In Danger, reveals that the world is not on course to end AIDS by 2030. For Zimbabwe, the hard-won progress against HIV is threatened by the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the country’s worsening economic circumstances, including currency volatility…

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Sharon Lewin assumes IAS Presidency

IAS – the International AIDS Society – welcomed Sharon Lewin (Australia) as the next IAS President and Beatriz Grinsztejn (Brazil) as President-Elect yesterday. IAS leadership also expressed deep gratitude to Adeeba Kamarulzaman (Malaysia) who steps down as IAS President and assumes her role as immediate-past President. Lewin, a world-renowned infectious diseases physician and basic scientist, is…

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African leaders championing sexuality education at the International AIDS Conference

At the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) held in Montreal, UNESCO and Frontline AIDS hosted a session where African leaders championed sexuality education and challenged misinformation to work toward an AIDS-free generation. Young advocates, representatives from African governments and CSOs made the case on why Comprehensive Sexuality Education should remain a priority for HIV prevention…

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JIAS publishes special issue on HIV and stigma

The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) has launched a special issue, titled “Getting to the heart of stigma across the HIV continuum of care”, at AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference. The content of the special issue was guided by Guest Editors Lucy Stackpool-Moore (International AIDS Society, Switzerland, and Watipa, Australia), Carmen…

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Leveraging technological innovations in food systems transformation

Leveraging technological innovations with a focus on digitalization is essential for attaining increased effectiveness, efficiency, and competitive implementation of National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) in pursuit of the delivery of the Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation. This came to the fore during a panel discussion on the last day of a…

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AIDS 2022 spotlights STI preventing tool, advances in technology

Studies highlighted at the 24th International AIDS Conference provide insights on new and existing strategies to help end the HIV epidemic. New studies presented at AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference, hosted by IAS – the International AIDS Society – demonstrate promising advances in the global HIV response. Speaking at a virtual press conference, authors…

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Merck Foundation TV program’s Tenth Episode focusses on Breaking Infertility Stigma

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany released the Tenth Episode of their TV program – “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” at 2 pm on Sunday, 17th July 2022 on GH One TV, Ghana, repeated on Monday on 18th July at 1:30 pm. The rest of the 15 episodes will be aired on GH One TV Ghana every…

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Historic funding to expand roll-out of first-ever malaria vaccine in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed the launch by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, of the landmark opportunity for countries to apply for funding to introduce, or further roll out, the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine. This international support of nearly US$ 160 million from 2022-2025 will facilitate increased vaccine access to children at high risk…

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Compelling need to upscale SRHR, funding in tertiary education institutions

Tertiary institutions of learning have been urged to domesticate, institutionalize, and commoditize sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as comprehensive sexual education (CSE) and embrace sustainable funding mechanisms. This emerged yesterday at a validation workshop on research findings on SRHR in tertiary education institutions that was conducted by Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo, the Principal…

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CSOs make passionate plea to strengthen public health transparency and accountability

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have made a passionate plea for stakeholders to develop strategies for strengthening transparency and accountability in the public sector. This came out at the CSO meeting on the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability in Africa Project – CTAP (a collaboration between BudgIT, Connected Development (CODE), Global Integrity, as well as partners in…

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New lease of life for known Karoi-based mentally-challenged woman

By Own Correspondent A mentally-challenged woman in Karoi who was a street vagrant has been given new hope in life by a popular prophet. The Bright Light Prophetic Deliverance Ministries founder Prophet Bright Chikomo prayed for one Vimbai Mawoneke who is mentally challenged, homeless, and survives on selling wares on the streets in Karoi. She…

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Gender justice attainable through women inclusion: Men’s Forum

By Lovemore Chazingwa Women and girls’ inclusion in the socio-economic development trajectory is among some of the most effective interventions to attain gender justice in society, a leading voice has said. Padare/Enkhundleni/Men’s Forum on Gender programs officer, Mr. Jonathana Chindewere made the remarks at First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Gota/Nhanga Male Engagement Session at Rimuka…

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Multi-stakeholder collaboration tackles drug abuse head-on in Zvimba North

By Elvis Dumba Zvimba North – Efforts in fighting substance abuse by young people are increasing by the day with more partners taking up the call for zero tolerance against the vice. Marian Chombo Trust in partnership with Zimbabwe Churches Platform for Women and Youth Empowerment Organization in conjunction with Joseph. K Murimuni (JKM) has…

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AfDB €87 Million loan to Morocco widens social protection, strengthens health services

The program aligns with Morocco’s human development objectives and the Bank’s High 5s strategic goal to foster sustainable and inclusive growth on the continent The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) approved an €87 million loan to implement the Support Program for the Generalization of Social Coverage in Morocco. The primary…

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NetOne partners ALCOZ in albinism support initiatives

State-owned mobile telephony giant, NetOne, has partnered with Albino Charity Organization of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ) in an initiative that supports people with albinism as part of its corporate social responsibility.   Netone Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, in a speech read by the Netone Matebeleland Regional Manager Ms. Elmah Dube at the belated International…

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Corruption at NSSA: A case of stealing from the poor

By Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) was established in 1989 with the primary mandate of providing sustainable social security schemes for civil servants and employees in Zimbabwe, governed primarily by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Act of 1989, Chapter 17: 04. Following, NSSA was established to…

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Authorities urged to address water woes at Mashavhi Secondary School in Bikita

A call has been made to responsible authorities to swiftly react and attend to water crises faced by learners and teachers at Mashavhi Secondary School in ward 22 of Bikita. Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) has raised concerns over the matter saying that there is a great potential for an outbreak of waterborne diseases…

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Child protection financing spurs inclusive development

The High-level Child Budgeting Dialogue by stakeholders held in Harare today has brought to the fore the importance of Child Protection Financing in Zimbabwe. This dialogue led to the exchange of knowledge and generated recommendations that contribute towards shaping and improving national and subnational policy interventions and investment in the Child Protection sector including the…

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Treatment adherence vital for winning fight against HIV and AIDS

By Staff Writer Raffingora – Zvimba North Constituency legislator and Ministry of Local Government Deputy Minister, Hon Marian Chombo has urged young people living with HIV to continue having a positive outlook on life and support each other in treatment adherence for healthy living. Donating winter shoes to various HIV+ children and adolescents members of…

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Invest in waste management equipment: VP Chiwenga urges council

By Elvis Dumba Banket – Local authorities have been urged to invest in waste management equipment and focus on establishing landfills to ensure community comprehensive waste management. The call was made by Vice President Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga during the National Clean-Up campaign held in Banket yesterday. ” It may take time to purchase all…

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ECA-supported SDG reporting in Uganda: voluntary local reviews gain traction

By Baboloki Semele The Government of Uganda has scaled up the practice of voluntary local reviews – which monitor progress made by local governments towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and is bringing their outcomes to the forefront of its national SDG reporting process. According to a media statement from Economic Commission for Africa…

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UNESCO launches Comprehensive Sexuality Education Online Course for Teachers

UNESCO is organizing a Regional Webinar to launch the newly revamped Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Online Course for Teachers. The webinar is organized by UNESCO Regional Offices for Eastern and Southern Africa and is bringing together stakeholders from the region.   The CSE Online Course for Teachers is a self-paced online course that provides teachers…

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All set for Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) takes place today (23 June 2022) alongside the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Summit is hosted by the Government of Rwanda, and co-convened by The RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Uniting to Combat NTDs. The Summit comes at a pivotal time…

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SAGWN, Urgent Action Fund partner on SRHR services for girls, women

The Survivors in Action Grassroots Women Network (SAGWN), with support from Urgent Action Fund – Africa recently distributed 1000 sexual and reproductive health kits for women and girls affected by gender-based violence in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Chitungwiza and Manyame Districts. They are targeting to reach over 30 000 vulnerable women and…

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UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator urges people to embrace healthy lifestyles

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Mr. Edward Kallon has underscored the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health. He made the call today while delivering a message for the International Day of Yoga (21 June) that was designated by the UN General Assembly….

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WTO Landmark Agreement will boost COVID-19 vaccines production: SA

The South African government, local vaccine manufacturers, and organised labour yesterday welcomed the agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that can support the production of Covid-19 vaccines in developing countries. The agreement allows governments to authorize local manufacturers to produce vaccines or their ingredients, substances, or elements and utilize processes that are covered by…

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WTO TRIPS waiver contains a potentially harmful set of clarifications: MSF

More than 20 months since India and South Africa first proposed a landmark intellectual property (IP) waiver to lift IP monopolies on COVID-19 medical tools, World Trade Organization (WTO) members reached a decision today at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva. The problematic version of the waiver that was adopted will essentially only waive certain IP on COVID-19…

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WTO trade ministers urged to reject TRIPS waiver draft

Draft ministerial decision on intellectual property waiver woefully inadequate Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and more than 150 civil society organizations—including People’s Vaccine Alliance, Oxfam, and Section27 of South Africa—called yesterday on trade ministers at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva to not accept the current draft of the ministerial…

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NetOne makes a call to uphold, respect rights of people with albinism

On International Albinism Awareness Day, state-owned mobile telecommunication giant NetOne called on stakeholders to unite under the same voice in advocating for recognition of the rights of people with albinism in Zimbabwe by providing them with access to equal opportunities. The commemorations were held on 13 June 2022 under the hashtags #UnitedInMakingOurVoiceHeard and #Inclusion4equality. At…

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Access to menstrual hygiene still a huge challenge

By Muchaneta Chimuka Research has shown that failure to access menstrual hygiene materials such as tampons, and sanitary wear, among others, is leading to high school dropout rates, absenteeism, and low pass rates as many teenage girls, especially in rural communities and peri-urban areas where communities are the hardest hit by price increases of commodities….

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Wheelchair relief for youths with disabilities in Harare and Norton

By Marlvin Ngiza Youths with disabilities, specifically with walking difficulties, are set to benefit from a wheelchair charity exercise by a local youth organisation. Exorbitant prices charged on assistive devices have seen many people with disabilities failing to acquire them, a situation that restricts their daily routines. Youth Health Organisation (YOHO) will from next week…

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