Faith Leaders in Zimbabwe Raise Concerns Over Government’s Move to Widen Access to Abortion

Harare, 01 December, 2025 / 10:14 PM

Members of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) have raised concerns about proposed amendments to the country's Medical Services Bill that aim to broaden and liberalize abortion provisions in the Southern African country.   

In a pastoral letter on November 29 the Church leaders noted that the proposals have “caused significant distress among Christians, parents, and many citizens who uphold biblical and cultural values that protect life as a fundamental human right.”

“Our nation is facing a serious constitutional and moral challenge,” the ZHOCD members said.

They added, “Parliament is considering amendments to the Medical Services Bill that would significantly widen access to abortion.”

The ZHOCD members, who include the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference (ZCBC), leaders of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), and the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA), warned that the proposed amendments “threaten the constitutional framework that has until now protected unborn children.”

They described the proposals as a departure from the clear national consensus expressed during the country's constitutional consultation process that “unborn life is to be protected and abortion tightly restricted.”

“This commitment has always reflected our cultural respect for motherhood, family, and human dignity,”  they stated.

The pastoral letter outlines major areas of concern, including “abortion on request for minors”, allowing girls under 18 to obtain abortions on request up to 20 weeks.

The Church leaders also point out the area of abortions without parental knowledge, permitting children of any age to undergo the procedure in secrecy and abortions without spousal notification, meaning husbands would not be notified when their wives seek abortions.

They said the proposed amendments also introduce “broad mental health clauses” that could “allow abortion at advanced stages of pregnancy” or even facilitate “sex-selective abortions.”

They cautioned that allowing “authorisation by a single practitioner,” as proposed in the amendments to the Medical Services Bill, could “create a risk of abuse.” 

They added that the retention of provisions permitting “eugenic abortions” on the basis of disability, even late in pregnancy, is also deeply concerning.

They warned that weakening of reporting requirements could enable abuse and non-compliance,” adding, “Without parental or law-enforcement involvement, abusers and traffickers could exploit girls and women and conceal sexual offences.”

The ZHOCD members Clarified that their position is rooted in Christian doctrine, saying, “our position is not political but theological, grounded in Scripture.”

“We stand united in rejecting attempts to impose an overly broad liberalisation of abortion measures that are inconsistent with Christian, ethical, and cultural values,” the Christian leaders in Zimbabwe said.

They added, “As the Body of Christ, our mandate is clear: we are to be guardians of life, upholding the sanctity of human life, a divine and non-negotiable principle rooted in the very nature of God.”

“We therefore urge all believers to stand firm in defending life, to pray diligently for our nation and its leaders, and to actively engage your Members of Parliament in your respective constituencies. For the sake of our moral integrity and social stability, these changes must be rejected,” they said.