Assessing Public Perceptions on The Proposed 2025 Zimbabwe Abortion Provisions: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Gender Studies and Sexuality

Year: 2026

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Assessing Public Perceptions on The Proposed 2025 Zimbabwe Abortion Provisions: A Qualitative Study

Dr Efiritha Chauraya, Abraham Maposa

ABSTRACT:

Worldwide, the advancement of reproductive rights is celebrated as a fundamental prerequisite for the realisation of human dignity. In 2025 Zimbabwe introduced amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act, enacted via the Medical Services Amendment Bill, which introduces provisions that among other things, create rights-based norms aligned to the Constitution This study focuses on the perceptions of the Zimbabwe public regarding this landmark Bill. As the Bill vindicates bodily autonomy, it becomes imperative that the legal framework that is going to govern the nation reflects the lived realities of its citizenry. No study so far has gauged the degree of alignment between the proposed legislative changes and the prevailing perceptions and sentiments of the Zimbabwean public. This is the novelty of this study. In gauging the readiness of the public to embrace the expanded termination of pregnancy provisions, the study utilised a qualitative approach. Participants were purposively sampled targeting their knowledge, experience, and ability to provide information relevant to the study. Fifteen semi-structed one-on-one interviews and 4 focused group discussions of three members each were held in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe with people knowledgeable about the Bill. Data was thematically analysed. Understanding the public attitudes and perceptions is important in bridging the gap between the proposed legislative paper provisions and the social reality of the generality of the Zimbabwean people.

Keywords: Termination Of Pregnancy; Reproductive Justice; Public Perception; 2025 Amendments