Parliamentary Caucus on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Secretary General Sunday Chanda, says various line Ministries are being engaged to review the age of consent to a much bigger age from 16 years as provided for in the law.
Mr Chanda who is also Kanchibiya Member of Parliament said the Parliamentary Caucus on SRHR is working towards harmonising what is provided for in the panel code and the constitution regarding the right age to consent for sexual reproductive services and rights.
Mr Chanda said the gaps existing on the definition of a child in the laws provided conflict each and must be amended for a better generation.
The media reports that the Children Code and the Constitution defines a child as any person who has not reached the age of 18 while the Penal Code 87 section 138 (1) defines a child as a person under the age of 16.
Mr Chanda was speaking during the three-day orientation workshop for media professionals in Lusaka.
He also stressed that Parliamentarians have the responsibility to design interventions on Sexual Reproductive Health and mental health issues from the perspective of the youths.
“We want to amend what is defined as a child in the Children’s Code Act and the penal code, because these issues have brought a lot of problems and if we dont resolve the problem, we are failing this society,” he said.
He noted that the law provides that a child aged 16 can consent to sex while at the same time, the same child cannot access SRHR services because they are deemed as children.
The three-day workshop is in preparation for the 8th Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Forum set to be held from October 25 to 29 under the theme ‘See us’-Amplfying the voices of the African Child and young people.
