Zimbabwe raises age of consent to 18, strengthens child protection laws

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240920/zimbabwe-raises-age-of-consent-to-18-strengthening-child-protection-laws-1068347941.html

Zimbabwe raises age of consent to 18, strengthens child protection laws

Zimbabwe raises age of consent to 18, strengthens child protection laws

Sputnik Africa

In May 2022, Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court ruled in a landmark case that the country’s criminal law does not adequately protect children under the age of 16… 20.09.2024, Sputnik Africa

2024-09-20T12:24+0200

2024-09-20T12:24+0200

2024-09-20T12:24+0200

Sub-Saharan Africa

emmerson mnangagwa

Zimbabwe

southern africa

law

legislators

children

youth

parliament

constitution

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill, 2024, which significantly strengthens child protection measures by raising the age of consent to 18. The new law, which was passed by the National Assembly in July and later by the Senate on Tuesday, brings Zimbabwe into line with its own constitution, which sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 and defines juveniles as those under the age of 18. The move follows a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court in May 2022, which found that the previous Criminal Law Code did not adequately protect children between the ages of 16 and 18 from sexual exploitation. The court found the previous law, which defined juveniles as those under the age of 16, to be unconstitutional. In January, President Mnangagwa invoked his powers under the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to implement a temporary measure in line with the Concourt ruling. However, this temporary measure was only valid for six months and required a permanent legislative solution. The new law addresses this need by setting 18 as the legal age of sexual consent and better protecting young people from sexual predators and early marriage.

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240919/zimbabwes-president-calls-for-transforming-resources-into-tangible-products-through-innovation-1068338217.html

Zimbabwe

southern africa

2024

News

en_NL

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emmerson mnangagwa, zimbabwe, southern africa, law, legislators, children, youth, parliament, constitution

Mohammed Nooh Osman

Writer/Editor

In May 2022, Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court ruled in a landmark case that the country’s criminal law did not adequately protect children between the ages of 16 and 18 from sexual exploitation. The court ruled that the previous law, which defined minors as anyone under the age of 16, was unconstitutional.