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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
PARLIAMENT is set to conduct public hearings on the effects of hormonal contraceptives starting next week.

The hearings will be conducted on December 4 in Bulawayo and Lupane. The next day, MPs will take the hearings to Mberengwa and Zvishavane, before proceeding to Masvingo on December 6.

On December 7, the hearings will be conducted in Chivhu before MPs round up in Bindura and Mazowe on December 8.

The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Cde Biata Nyamupinga, said her committee was determined to get first-hand accounts on the effects of hormonal contraceptives as there has been several complaints about them.

“We are going out to get the information on the side effects of hormonal contraceptives from the women because a lot is being said about them. There is also the Registrar General who came before the committee with a group of women and there is a book he has written about the effects of contraceptives.

“On the other hand we have the Ministry of Health planning department who are saying that the side effects are minor as opposed to what people benefit from taking contraceptives,” said Cde Nyamupinga.

“So we thought it was wise for the committee to go out on our own to the public and hear the public talk about the effects and the benefits they are getting from family planning so that it can also recommend to the Ministry on which course to take.

“There is an issue again of hearing from the public if they are informed or counselled before they choose which contraceptive to use.”

Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda, said people wearing military uniforms, signs of ranks, flags or badges and political party regalia will not have access to the public consultations.

@AuxiliaK