Survey Reveals 70% of Zimbabwean Women Lose Virginity Before Marriage
A new national survey has revealed that nearly 70% of Zimbabwean women lose their virginity before they turn 20.
The findings are part of the 2023–24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), carried out by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with technical assistance from international development partners. The survey aims to generate data that can guide policy, track health progress, and shape Zimbabwe’s development strategy.
According to the report:
“By age 20, 69% of women have had sexual intercourse, compared with 51% of men.”
ZIMSTAT says the purpose of the survey is to provide evidence-based data for decision-making in key areas such as reproductive health, education, and gender development, especially as the country works towards Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Most Girls Lose Virginity in Their Teens
The data confirms that many Zimbabwean girls are losing their virginity while still in their teens.
The report states:
“Among women age 25–49, 6% had sexual intercourse by age 15, and 43% by age 18.”
This means that nearly half of Zimbabwean women have lost their virginity before finishing secondary school, and close to seven out of ten women are no longer virgins by the time they reach 20.
In contrast, the report shows that boys tend to retain their virginity a little longer. Only 3% of men had had sex by age 15, and 25% by age 18.
“The median age at first sexual intercourse for women age 25–49 is 18.5 years, compared with 19.9 years among men,” the report adds.
Virginity Lost Before Marriage
The ZDHS also highlights that virginity is often lost before marriage.
The report notes:
“The median age at first marriage among women age 25–49 is 19.4 years, indicating that on average, women become sexually active before marriage.”
This gap of roughly one year between losing virginity and getting married raises questions around access to contraception, HIV prevention, and sex education – especially for adolescent girls.
The implications are wide-ranging, from increased risk of unplanned pregnancies and school dropouts, to early exposure to sexually transmitted infections.
Why This Matters
More than 11,000 households were interviewed between December 2023 and May 2024, making the 2023–24 ZDHS one of the most comprehensive health and social data sources in Zimbabwe.
ZIMSTAT believes the virginity data will help stakeholders respond more effectively to the needs of young people.
“The ZDHS results are essential for monitoring progress in health and development and for designing evidence-based interventions,” ZIMSTAT said in a statement.
With virginity being lost much earlier than many parents or teachers may assume, the findings are expected to spark debate around sexual education, cultural values, and the role of the family in shaping young people’s choices.
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