Strict legislation still limits access to abortions upon request in Zimbabwe, but the service is still available for women who fall under certain conditions. Both surgical and medical abortions are available at government-approved facilities.
Is Abortion Legal in Zimbabwe?
Abortion is legal in Zimbabwe in the case of incest or rape, to preserve the woman’s physical or mental health and in the case of fetal impairment. [1]
What Types of Abortion are Available in Zimbabwe
The following abortion methods are available in Zimbabwe:
- Abortion with pills (MA)
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
- Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA)
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C)*
*D&C is an outdated abortion method and should be replaced by MVA when possible. [2]
What is the abortion rate in Zimbabwe? How Many Women Have Abortions?
17 abortions for every 1,000 women [3]
In-Clinic Abortion
What are the Different Types of In-Clinic Abortion Procedures Available in Zimbabwe?
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) – less than 12 weeks
- Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA) – less than 12 weeks
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C)*- less than 12 weeks
D&C is an outdated abortion method and should be replaced by MVA when possible. [2]
Is Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) safe?
MVA is a very safe method of abortion for pregnancies in the first trimester, and/or early second trimester all the way up to 14 weeks of gestation. MVA is 99% effective. [4]
You can get more information on the MVA procedure here.
Where Can I get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in Zimbabwe?
Abortion services are available at both private and public health institutions that have been approved by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health. [5]
How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in Zimbabwe?
Less than 30 US dollars.
Are There Any Side Effects of Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)?
The most common side effect is cramping during the procedure. Often this cramping will improve quickly afterwards, but some women may experience cramping on and off for a few days or weeks. Most women will experience bleeding and cramping during and after MVA, these symptoms will gradually improve in the following days after the procedure.
Abortion with Pills (Medical Abortion)
Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in Zimbabwe?
Both Mifepristone and Misoprostol are available at approved medical facilities. They can also be purchased at pharmacies with an approved doctor’s prescription.
How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?
The abortion pills can be used within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
You can get more information on the medical abortion protocol using Mifepristone and Misoprostol or using Misoprostol only.
Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone? Misoprostol?
A prescription from a doctor is required for Mifepristone and Misoprostol in Zimbabwe.
What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in Zimbabwe?
The two most popular brands in Zimbabwe are Cytotec and LinePharma. [6]
Photo credit: Mifegymiso. tvo.org
How Much Do the Abortion Pills Cost in Zimbabwe?
Between $20 USD and $60 USD
Who Can I Contact for More Information on Abortion in Zimbabwe?
You can get in touch with safe2choose’s counselors by email at info@safe2choose.org or by live chat.
You can also reach out to Women on Web or Women Help Women.
[1] Guttmacher Institute. Zimbabwe. Retrieved from: https://www.guttmacher.org/geography/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe
[2] WHO. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. Second edition. Retrieved from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70914/9789241548434_eng.pd%20f?sequence=1
[3] WHO Africa. Enhancing capacity of Zimbabwe’s health system to reduce abortion related maternal deaths. Retrieved from: https://www.afro.who.int/news/enhancing-capacity-zimbabwes-health-system-reduce-abortion-related-maternal-deaths
[4] Ipas. Clinical Updates in Reproductive Health. 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ipas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ipas-Clinical-Updates-in-Reproductive-Health-CURHE23b.pdf
[5] PMC. Abortion in Zimbabwe: A national study of the incidence of induced abortion, unintended pregnancy and post-abortion care in 2016. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6200425/
[6] IPPF. Medical Abortion Commodities Database. Retrieved from: https://www.medab.org/advanced-search-multiple-results?country=334&commodity=all&brand=all#multiple-search-result