A new national survey has revealed that nearly seven out of ten Zimbabwean women engage in s3xual intercourse before the age of 20, with a significant proportion initiating s3x in their teenage years.
The findings are part of the 2023–24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The survey, supported by international development partners, provides critical data to inform policy decisions, track public health outcomes, and shape national development strategies.
“By age 20, 69% of women have had s3xual intercourse, compared with 51% of men,” the report stated.
The survey, which interviewed over 11,000 households between December 2023 and May 2024, also found that s3xual debut often precedes marriage. Among women aged 25 to 49, the median age at first s3xual intercourse is 18.5 years, while the median age at first marriage is 19.4 years. For men in the same age bracket, the median age at first sexual activity is 19.9 years.
The report further highlighted that 6% of women had engaged in sexual activity by age 15, and 43% by age 18. In comparison, only 3% of men had had s3x by 15, and 25% by 18. This indicates that young women in Zimbabwe tend to become sexually active earlier than their male counterparts.
The data points to significant social and health implications, including concerns about access to contraception, the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), teenage pregnancy, and the impact of early s3xual activity on education outcomes.
According to ZIMSTAT, the ZDHS results are vital for developing evidence-based policies and interventions, particularly in the areas of reproductive health, education, and gender development. The agency emphasised the role of the findings in supporting Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The ZDHS results are essential for monitoring progress in health and development and for designing evidence-based interventions,” ZIMSTAT said in a statement.
