Young women and adolescent girls have been urged to take a more active role in HIV prevention and reproductive health decision-making as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to reduce new infections and move towards an HIV-free generation.
The call was made by 21-year-old Ruvarashe Katandika during an interview this week, where she spoke about her work as a Young Mentor Mother under community health programmes supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Katandika works with girls and young women aged 10 to 24, providing peer education on HIV prevention, family planning, and general reproductive health.
“I wanted to help my peers understand how to protect themselves and their futures,” she said, explaining her motivation for joining the programme. “Young people need accurate information so that they can make informed choices.”
She said one of the key focus areas of her work is promoting awareness of HIV prevention methods, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
“PrEP is very important because it gives young women an extra layer of protection,” Katandika said. “If we increase awareness, we can reduce new infections among young people.”
Katandika also highlighted the importance of family planning education, noting that many young women still lack access to reliable information on reproductive health services.
“We talk about contraception and the different options available,” she said. “The goal is to reduce unplanned pregnancies and help girls stay in school and plan their futures.”
She added that stigma and misinformation remain major barriers in communities.
“Some young people are afraid to go to clinics because of what others might say,” she said. “That is why peer education is so important. It creates trust.”
The programme, which is supported by UNICEF and partners, uses trained young mothers and mentors to engage directly with adolescents in their communities.
Health experts say such peer-led initiatives are effective because they encourage open dialogue and improve access to information in environments where young people may otherwise feel uncomfortable seeking help.
“UNICEF believes that when young people are empowered with knowledge, they become leaders of change,” Katandika said, echoing the organisation’s approach.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has called for continued expansion of youth-friendly health services and greater investment in community outreach programmes, saying these are critical to reducing HIV infections and improving maternal health outcomes.
As Zimbabwe continues its fight against HIV, young leaders like Katandika are playing an increasingly visible role in shaping awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting an HIV-free future generation.
