The article discusses the challenges faced by Zimbabwe in dealing with the adoption of orphaned children due to the twin crises of HIV/AIDS and economic decline. The traditional practice of taking in relatives' children is under strain, and there is a cultural resistance to adopting non-relative children. Stanislaus Sanyangowe, the deputy director for child protection services at the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, highlights the low number of domestic adoptions. The ministry is trying to change mindsets by distributing information on adoption at various public gatherings. The article also shares the story of the Nhika family, who are struggling to care for their orphaned grandchildren on a meager pension, and Mary Muchando, a teacher who has adopted two daughters, one from her extended family and another found abandoned. The article underscores the cultural complexities and financial hardships surrounding adoption in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, restrictive abortion laws are driving women to seek dangerous illegal abortions, as safe procedures are inaccessible for most. Tapiwa Chiwenga's harrowing experience highlights the risks and costs involved. Despite legal barriers, nearly 67,000 abortions were performed in 2016, mostly outside the health system. The Guttmacher Institute and local organizations like Katswe Sistahood provide data and support, but the global gag rule has led to funding cuts for essential services like contraception, potentially increasing the demand for illegal abortions. Healthcare workers advocate for legal reform to save lives, as criminalization fails to address the root causes of unplanned pregnancies and only exacerbates the public health crisis.

The article discusses the dire situation of abortion laws in Zimbabwe, where the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977 severely restricts legal abortions, leading many women to seek dangerous underground procedures. The journalist, going undercover, exposes the clandestine market for abortion pills and traditional medicines in Harare. Despite the law, an estimated 66,800 illegal abortions were performed in 2016, often resulting in complications. The article also touches on the impact of the US global gag rule, which has led to the closure of hundreds of family planning sites in Zimbabwe, exacerbating the issue. The story of Tapiwa Chiwenga, a pseudonym for a woman who underwent a risky abortion, is used to illustrate the personal toll of these laws. The article argues for the need to address the unmet need for contraception and socioeconomic factors driving unplanned pregnancies, rather than criminalizing abortions.

The article discusses the trend of internet shutdowns in Africa, particularly in the context of government crackdowns during elections or protests. It highlights the increasing reliance on the internet and mobile technology in African economies, such as mobile money, which has been significantly affected by these shutdowns. The article features the story of Alice Ndlovu (a pseudonym), a teacher in Zimbabwe who struggled to access money sent from her son due to an internet blackout. The shutdowns are seen as a means for governments to control information and quell dissent, but they also have unintended economic consequences and affect both supporters and opponents of the regimes. The article mentions organizations like Access Now and NetBlocks, and references the High Court ruling in Zimbabwe that deemed the internet shutdown illegal. It concludes with a note on the growing resistance to internet blackouts and the increasing value people place on their rights when they are threatened.

The article discusses the increasing trend of internet shutdowns by African governments as a means of repression, particularly in response to protests and to control information flow. It highlights the case of Alice Ndlovu, a pseudonym for a teacher in Zimbabwe, who was unable to access money sent from her son due to an internet shutdown amid fuel price protests. The shutdowns are a reaction to the growing internet penetration in Africa, which has economic benefits but also enables social change and challenges government control. The article mentions several countries that have experienced recent shutdowns and discusses the economic costs, citing Zimbabwe's daily loss of $5.7 million during the blackout. It also touches on legal challenges to shutdowns and the growing resistance to such government actions.

Internet shutdowns are becoming more prevalent in Africa as governments attempt to suppress protests and control information flow. Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Sudan have recently experienced shutdowns, impacting economic activities and citizens' daily lives. The shutdowns are a response to the rapid growth of internet users on the continent, which has increased from 4% to 25% in a decade. This growth has brought economic benefits but also challenges to government control. African courts are beginning to challenge the legality of these shutdowns, and resistance to internet blackouts is growing among the populace.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced the availability of the consolidated voters' roll for the 2018 harmonised elections, which is now accessible to candidates and the public. ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba called the release 'historic' and emphasized the importance of the voters' roll in democratic elections. The announcement follows a High Court order requiring the release of the roll. Chigumba defended ZEC against accusations of employing serving military personnel, stating that any security personnel were retired. The voters' roll, which includes over 5.6 million voters, will be provided to candidates for free, while the public can purchase it at varying prices. Chigumba also called for non-violence from political parties and objective reporting from the media for free and fair elections.

Zimbabwe's economy faces severe challenges as it transitions from using the American dollar to a confusing mix of local bond notes and mobile money, exacerbated by a cash-strapped government issuing near-worthless IOUs. The ousting of Robert Mugabe and the succession of Emmerson Mnangagwa bring uncertainty to the country's economic restoration. With a fiscal deficit of 11% of GDP, striking civil servants, and failing businesses, the upcoming elections add pressure to the ruling party, which may resort to cash splurges and voter intimidation. Citizens like Priscilla have resorted to informal jobs, and infrastructure has deteriorated, leading to a decline in tax collection and emigration of skilled workers.

The article discusses the sexism faced by women in Zimbabwean politics, highlighted by the fall of Grace Mugabe, the wife of former President Robert Mugabe. It explores the misogynistic attitudes prevalent in the society, where Grace Mugabe's ambition to become president was met with sexist insults and a general belief that women are unfit for leadership. The article includes perspectives from various individuals, including Sakhile Sifelani-Ngoma of WiPSU, former MP Margaret Dongo, and independent candidate Linda Masarira, who comment on the challenges women face in politics. Despite women holding one-third of the seats in Parliament, the article suggests that women are still tokenized and face discrimination. The new political landscape under President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia is also touched upon, indicating an ongoing debate about the role of women in Zimbabwean politics.

The article discusses the political legacy of Robert Mugabe, focusing on the role his wife, Grace Mugabe, played in his downfall and the broader implications for women in Zimbabwean politics. Grace Mugabe's ambition to become president and her aggressive political style led to a backlash filled with sexist insults and criticism. This has sparked a wider debate about the role of women in politics, with many expressing misogynistic views that question women's capabilities as leaders. Despite women occupying a significant portion of parliamentary seats in Zimbabwe, they still face discrimination and are often seen as tokens. The article includes perspectives from various individuals, including politicians and citizens, highlighting the deep-seated misogyny in Zimbabwe's political landscape. The situation is further complicated by the new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and his wife Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is also facing pressure to conform to traditional gender roles despite her political position.