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Adult Mental Health
Having a mental health condition should never be a reason to deprive a person of their human rights or to exclude them from decisions about their own health.
Mental health is a universal human right – everyone has the right to quality mental health care and support, yet in Zimbabwe, there is limited access to basic treatment. Community mental health care is limited and psychiatric hospitals are usually the only available option, yet these institutions are often associated with human rights violations. The WHO estimates that one in four Zimbabweans suffer from some form of mental illness, but there are only 18 psychiatrists and six psychologists for a country of about 15 million people.
Mental health stigma remains a significant issue, where lack of knowledge about mental health illnesses means it is often interpreted as “bad behaviour”, or attributed to cultural beliefs and myths. As a result, people who are mentally unwell experience cruel treatment from others, as well as discrimination in employment, education and housing. Caregivers of those with mental health conditions often lack guidance on how to care for those affected, and are often socially isolated with no support due to stigma.
Through our work we are helping to organize wide-scale community campaigns to dispel damaging perceptions of mentally ill people. Instead, we are supporting education initiatives which help community members to understand the psychological background which causes such illnesses.
Adolescent Mental Health
Adolescence is often the time when mental health problems emerge, with mental ill health affecting roughly 1 in 10 children. Young people require targeted support and advice during this period – this should include prevention and promotion activities such as drama, arts and sports clubs as a way of encouraging self-expression, finding self-worth and building confidence. Mental health services, such as counselling and talking therapies, should also be available for those who are experiencing more serious mental conditions.
Despite high levels of depression and anxiety disorders in young women, adolescent mental health care is a neglected area. In schools there is a notable lack of guidance on mental health issues, resulting in teachers failing to recognize and support students who need help. Everyone working in schools should be trained in mental health literacy and psychoeducation, so that they are able to detect mental health problems at an early stage and provide compassionate, informed care for young people.
What is PHOEBE doing to respond?
- Providing education and support to caregivers and families with in-house support sessions
- Working alongside psychiatric hospitals to advocate for mentally unwell women
- Helping to initiate community discussions on mental health awareness
- Training teachers and students on mental health through the Intersectional Safeguarding Consortium
- Visiting schools with Girls Kick Out Depression program to discuss issues which affect young people and promote involvement in sports
Child Safeguarding
Child safeguarding is focused on preventative actions which ensure that children are protected from acts which lead to the risk of or actual harm. All organisations that work with children should have a set of safeguarding policies and procedures in place which maintain a safe culture to protect children from harm. Child protection services should work alongside schools and other organisations to provide professional input and support.
On the ground implementation of child protection laws and policies remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. Most schools do not have a child protection policy, meaning they lack clear guidelines and reporting criteria to be followed in the case of a child abuse incident. Safeguarding should be everyone’s responsibility, therefore staff and students must know who to talk or where to access help when a concern arises.
A pressing child safeguarding issue in Zimbabwe is the high rate of child marriage – 34% of young women are married before their 18th birthday. Child marriage has long-lasting adverse effects on physical and mental health, preventing young women from living happy and fulfilling lives. Zimbabwe has now passed The Marriages Act 2022 which prohibits the marriage of minors, however work needs to be done alongside this to promote behavioural change in communities.
What is PHOEBE doing to respond?
- Developing the Intersectional Safeguarding Consortium to support implementation of safeguarding and child protection practice in schools
- Initiating community campaigns and discussions to raise awareness on the consequences of child marriage
- Helping to shift societal attitudes around the acceptance of violence and harmful practices
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
“Women and adolescent girls can be empowered by making sure they know their rights and are aware of the services available to them, and by helping overcome individual and societal barriers that prevent them from making informed decisions”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director of WHO
Sexual and reproductive health and rights is the concept of human rights applied to sexuality and reproduction. Within this framework PHOEBE promotes reproductive justice – a movement which shifts the focus away from the singular focus on abortion and use of contraception, connecting these struggles to other health and social justice movements for a more inclusive and holistic understanding of women’s experiences.
In Zimbabwe, traditional gender norms and responsibilities often undermine women’s agency to assert their rights. Sexuality and SRHR are often considered taboo when pertaining to adolescent girls or unmarried women. Many women have little to no knowledge of legal provisions in place to protect their rights, whilst young girls lack comprehensive knowledge on SRH issues (including bodily development, menstrual hygiene, gender relations) and available services. To achieve reproductive justice, all women and girls must have access to comprehensive sex education, freedom from coerced sex and safe access to birth control and abortion. Using this framework therefore guides and encourages practice which addresses intersecting issues and needs in the community.
What is PHOEBE doing to respond?
- Supporting the implementation of a comprehensive and informed sex education in schools
Training teachers on SRHR, so they are equipped to support their studentsTraining local health providers on youth-friendly service provision.
Helping with transport fees to access sexual and reproductive health services
Gender Based Violence
In Zimbabwe about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.
These statistics reflect a unequal society in which men possess more power, opportunities and control, restricting women’s ability to fulfil their basic human rights and reach their full potential.
Women with mental health conditions are at an even heightened risk of experiencing gender based violence and sexual exploitation. Meanwhile, women who experience violence are more likely to develop mental health problems and are at risk of attempting suicide. This reveals a toxic, cyclic relationship between violence and women’s mental state.
Sexual violence is also a reality for women in Zimbabwe, with many experiencing such abuse before their 18th birthday. There is a damaging perception still held by many, that women with mental health problems have diminished sexuality, or possess no sexuality at all, thus justifying their abuse. PHOEBE aims to grow awareness of sexual and reproductive rights and justice for all, and empower those with mental health problems to feel confident in their sexuality.
Through our work we are also addressing the cultures of silence and impunity which surround gender based violence – women are often expected to keep quiet about these experiences, particularly if the perpetrator is a partner. Corruption and judgement among the police force prevents women from being vocal about these crimes and contributes to the cycle of unaccountability.
What is PHOEBE doing to respond?
- Creating safe spaces at PHOEBE centre for those who have experience GBV
- Increasing knowledge and understanding of reproductive justice and sexual rights for women
- Growing awareness of the connections between gender inequality and violence in the community and in schools
- Helping to shift beliefs and practices that put women at risk of violence