ZADHR Supports Clause 11 to Expand Safe Abortion Access in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights

Harare – The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has thrown its support behind Clause 11 of the Medical Services Amendment Bill, a key provision designed to broaden access to safe and regulated abortion services in Zimbabwe.

Currently, abortion in Zimbabwe is permitted only under limited circumstances, including when a pregnancy endangers a woman’s life, in cases of severe foetal abnormalities, or when it results from rape or incest. Clause 11 seeks to expand access within regulated medical settings, aligning existing legislation with constitutional protections and modern public health standards. In a statement issued on 12 February 2026, ZADHR described the clause as a “significant step towards safeguarding women’s health and rights.”

“ZADHR supports the inclusion of Clause 11 within the Medical Services Amendment Bill, 2024.This significant step aligns with Section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which enshrines the right to healthcare, as well as Sections 48, 51 and 52, which protect the rights to life, dignity and bodily integrity,” the organisation said.

Updating an Outdated Law

ZADHR noted that Clause 11 would effectively modernise the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977, which it considers outdated and inadequate in addressing current public health realities.

According to the association, the proposed reforms would:

• Expand access to abortion services in regulated health facilities

• Reduce procedural and bureaucratic barriers

• Strengthen informed consent requirements

• Prevent women and girls from resorting to unsafe, clandestine abortions

The organisation argues that restrictive legal frameworks do not eliminate abortions but instead increase health risks.

Maternal Mortality Concerns

ZADHR highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing maternal health challenges. The 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey estimates the maternal mortality ratio at 212 deaths per 100,000 live births. Although this reflects progress, the group says the figure remains unacceptably high. Unsafe abortion is estimated to contribute to approximately 16 percent of maternal deaths nationwide.

Citing research from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Guttmacher Institute, ZADHR stated that between 65,000 and 80,000 induced abortions occur in Zimbabwe annually. Of these, around 25,000 women require hospital treatment for complications resulting from unsafe procedures. The association also referenced findings from the World Health Organization, which consistently show that restrictive abortion laws do not reduce abortion rates but instead drive women toward unsafe methods.

Evidence-Based Reform

ZADHR maintains that Clause 11 represents a constitutionally sound, evidence-based reform that could significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths.

“ZADHR firmly believes that the Medical Services Amendment Bill represents a constitutionally sound and evidence-based reform that will directly lead to a reduction in preventable maternal mortality, protect women and girls from life-threatening complications, bolster informed medical practice, and ultimately align Zimbabwe’s health framework with international best practices and human rights standards,” the statement concluded.

ZADHR Supports Clause 11; Expand Safe Abortion Access; Zimbabwe