ZIMBABWE’S major Christian denominations have rejected proposed amendments to the Medical Services Bill that substantially widen access to abortion, saying the changes undermine constitutional protection for unborn children.
In a pastoral letter dated November 29, 2025, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) said the proposals sparked “significant distress” among Christians, parents and citizens who upheld Biblical and cultural values that regarded life as a fundamental human right.
ZHOCD said the amendments contradicted the national consensus expressed during the constitution-making process, which affirmed that unborn life must be protected and abortion strictly limited.
The church leaders warned that allowing abortion for minors on request up to 20 weeks enables girls under 18 to terminate pregnancies without oversight. They also objected to clauses permitting children of any age to undergo abortion without parental notification and provisions that prevent husbands from being informed when their wives seek termination of pregnancy.
“Vague ‘mental health’ provisions could allow abortion at advanced stages of pregnancy” and this same clause “could be used to justify aborting babies based on their sex.”
The churches said the removal of parental or law-enforcement involvement could enable abusers and traffickers to conceal sexual offences.
“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 churches said.
They stressed that their stance is theological and not political.
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“…human beings bear the image of God, and every life, regardless of stage of development or ability, possesses inherent dignity.”
The churches urged believers to defend “the voiceless,” pray for national leaders and lobby lawmakers to reject the amendments.
“For the sake of our moral integrity and social stability, these changes must be rejected,” the statement read.
