SRHR Africa Trust and Botswana Youth Hub Push to Improve Legislation on Age of Sexual Consent – Women Deliver

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe Now

SRHR Africa Trust and Botswana Youth Hub Push to Improve Legislation on Age of Sexual Consent

share

The SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) and Botswana Youth Hub recognized the implications that a motion to raise the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 in Botswana may have on the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of a child. As a Youth Hub Coordinator, Goitsemodimo Ditsele (Class of 2018) held meetings to review legal documents and SRHR policies that may be affected, such as the Public Health Policy on SRHR. She worked with UNFPA to train and mobilize youth activists; met with the Permanent Secretary to the Minister; and wrote a position paper for review by members of Parliament. The bill was passed by the Parliament with some amendments that SAT and Botswana Youth Hub had proposed and pushed for. They also secured the deletion of a proposed clause that would allow perpetrators to defend themselves by claiming an underage child looked like an adult when engaging in sexual activities.

News & Updates