Policies and their Impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Accessible by Lesbians and Bisexual Women in Zimbabwe
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Date
2024
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Bentham Open
Abstract
Aims: Sexual and gender minority groups, such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people (LGBT), are often unjustly excluded from accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health services (SRH) in many countries. In Zimbabwe, most SRH policies are not sensitive to the needs of Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSMs), including lesbians and bisexual women. This study sought to review policies available in Zimbabwe and explore their influence on access to SRH services by lesbians and bisexual women.
Methods: Relevant pieces of legislation that directly or indirectly influence issues regarding SRH service access and lesbians and bisexual women, were identified and analysed using a policy analysis triangle to provide contextual basis for the study. Findings from the policy review were presented in a table detailing the outcome of each policy under four critical pillars, i.e., Policy Content, Context, Actors, and Strategies.
Results: Twelve policies were reviewed, including the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP), to mention a few. The policy analysis revealed that the national constitution and other policies were not synchronised with Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights policies and that the criminalisation of same-sex sexual practices in Zimbabwe is a fertile ground for all the other challenges faced by lesbians and bisexual women.
Conclusion: The SRH program is crucial in fulfilling the immediate and future SRH requirements. Based on the findings, most current policies are silent on the SRH needs of lesbians and bisexual women. These policies are misaligned with the national constitution, hindering them from accessing SRH services.
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Khozah, M. Y. and Nunu, W. N. 2024. Policies and their Impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Accessible by Lesbians and Bisexual Women in Zimbabwe. Open Public Health J, 2024; 17: e18749445274479