New Age of consent: A cause for celebration

 



With all the efforts to end child marriages, teenage pregnancies and the violation of children's rights the ruling that the age of sexual consent in Zimbabwe is now eighteen years is a cause for celebration. This goes a long way in trying to end child marriages by the year 2030.


This landmark ruling has far reaching consequences when it comes to the protection of the girl child. Having the age of sexual consent raised from sixteen to eighteen means that now adolescent girls can not be forced into sexual activities and also it has been made difficult for older men to indulge in sexual activities with girls below the age of eighteen. The landmark ruling has provided a cushion for young girls.


However this ruling by the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe is just a step towards the right direction. A lot still needs to be done to protect the girl child. 


There are cultural and religious practices that still violate girl's rights. In Zimbabwe such practices as church dreams that impose adolescent girls on older men and the appeasing of spirits using young girls should be stopped forthwith if we are to end child marriages by 2030.


Let us celebrate the Concourt ruling bearing in mind that this is only the beginning of a long journey. Societal , religious and cultural practices should work hand in hand with the judicial system to ensure that this is implemented because the future is female.


Feministry!

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