Zimbabwe has taken a significant step towards protecting children from sexual abuse by raising the age of consent to 18. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has amended the criminal code, closing a legal gap that allowed child predators to escape justice since May 2023.
According to wikipedia, the age of consent is the age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to sexual acts. An adult who engages in sexual activity with a person younger than the stipulated age of consent is unable to legally claim that the sexual activity was consensual, and may be charged for child sexual abuse or statutory rape.
Prior to this amendment, the country’s laws defined “young people” as individuals under 16, leaving older minors vulnerable to exploitation. However, following a ruling by the Constitutional Court, certain sections of the Criminal Law on sexual crimes were deemed unconstitutional in 2022. The court gave the legislature a year to draft new legislation that would encompass all children, but the deadline was missed.
Unfortunately, this delay resulted in a sex offender evading punishment, causing public outcry and forcing the government into swift action. The newly amended law now stipulates that anyone engaging in sexual activity with a minor can face up to 10 years of imprisonment.
The change in legislation is expected to serve as a crucial deterrent for sexual predators, promoting the protection and well-being of children in Zimbabwe. By setting the age of consent at 18, the country aims to ensure that individuals are fully capable of making informed decisions regarding their sexual health and relationships.
