Women`s rights organisation embraces Con Court ruling on age of consent

Women`s rights organisation embraces Con Court ruling on age of consent

Yvonne Mutambwa

Shamwari YeMwanasikana, an organisation that deals advocates for young women`s rights has welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling on age of consent.

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court passed a landmark judgment which moved the age of consent from 16 to 18 years.

In a statement, Shamwari YeMwanasikana described the ruling as a victory.

“This is a milestone in advocating for the rights of the girl child. As an organisation we welcome the constitutional court judgement as it ensures the protection of girls against sexual abuse and violence,” the organisation said.
Previously, the age of consent was set at 16 years of age.
It however raised concerns on how minors were having consent to sex when they were below the legal age of majority.
Shamwari YeMwanasikana called on punitive sentences for those who perform statutory rape.
“With the age of consent set at 18 years those who prey on minors will face the full arm of the law. As the Shona saying states “regai dzive shiri, mazai haana nyama.
The girl child deserves a chance to grow into an adult and to be able to make a decision based on maturity and understanding,” the organisation said.
“With the passed judgement by the Constitutional Court on the age of consent to sexual activities being 18, we hope to see a decrease in teenage pregnancies because one reaches the age of majority at 18 and is able to make mature and informed decisions at 18years,” the statement further said.