SA’s approach to ‘underage’ sex is two-faced
Kim Johnson
23 September 2011
Today the Mail and Guardian’s Mia Malan gets to grips with the struggle on how to address teen pregnancy, which sees conservatives and human rights approach activists at loggerheads.
Malan explores the rift between the two parties, who advocate different means of addressing the twin troubles of soaring teen pregnancy rates and HIV infection.
The article has quotes from those who believe that sex education and life skills programmes should be strengthened in schools and that condoms should be made available.
However conservative elements located in the health and education departments fear that these measures would encourage youngsters to have sex. They are reportedly sticking to their ‘abstain’ or ‘be faithful’ guns as the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and HIV.
The polarised positions which characterise the debate are reflected in the country’s somewhat schizophrenic legislation.
The sexual offences act and children’s act are at odds, with one act seeming to take a harsh stance on underage sex while the other mandates that any child under the age of 12 cannot be denied access to condoms. Although interpretations of this act vary.
The government is set to revise and align the acts in the near future.
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