UN, Government Data Shows Women And Children On Decline In Zimbabwe
New York, Nov 25 2009 12:10PM Some 100 children under five years of age will die today in Zimbabwe, a bleak statistic
that is part of new social development data released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government,
revealing that the situation there for women and children has deteriorated in the past five years.
The Multiple Indicator and Monitoring Survey (MIMS), which was conducted in May 2009, reported a decline in access to
many key social services for women and children, particularly for the poorest populations and in rural areas. “The MIMS
data underscores the deterioration that has occurred in the social sectors in the last few years and the tragic
consequences that have resulted,” said Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF Representative. “Today and everyday in Zimbabwe 100
children below five years of age are dying of mostly preventable diseases.”
The data showed a 20 per cent increase in the mortality rate of children under five since 1990, the baseline year for
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with children in rural areas and those in the poorest one fifth of the
population being the most vulnerable. Major causes of these deaths are HIV and AIDS, newborn disorders, pneumonia and
diarrhea.
The survey also showed that 1 in 2 pregnant women in rural areas were now delivering at home and that 39 per cent
nationally were not accessing the requisite medical facilities for delivery. Meanwhile, 40 per cent where not attended
to at birth by a skilled attendant posing huge dangers for both mothers and newborns.UNICEF says that these findings
confirm the result of previous research indicating that user fees and other financial barriers are limiting women’s
access to life-saving obstetric services.
In addition, data from the national survey, which had a sample size of 12,500 households in Zimbabwe, revealed limited
support to the country’s orphaned and vulnerable children, with 79 per cent not receiving any form of external
assistance. Further, around two-thirds of all children in the country do not possess birth certificates. The survey is
designed to obtain strategic information relevant for policy makers as they make decisions on development priorities and
budgets. In addition, the survey provides data on Zimbabwe’s progress in attaining international priorities like the
MDGs, which includes among its targets reducing under-five mortality by two thirds by 2015.
“The MIMS data provides a powerful statistical testimony on the current state of women and children in Zimbabwe,” said
Dr. Salama. “It will assist the inclusive Government and its partners in determining the priorities for action. Women
and children should be at the centre of the development agenda moving forward.”
ENDS