Across Eastern and Southern Africa, millions of adolescents continue to face legal and policy barriers that limit their access to essential sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. While countries have made notable progress in strengthening legal frameworks, a 2024 study by RIATT-ESA found that inconsistencies in age-of-consent policies continue to undermine adolescents’ health, well-being, and rights.
This recent review of age-of-consent policies across East and Southern African countries reveals significant variations. Malawi has made commendable progress by raising the legal age of marriage to 18 years through constitutional reforms and allowing adolescents aged 12 years to consent to HIV testing under specific conditions. The country has also integrated Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the school curriculum, with approximately 80% of schools providing life-skills-based HIV and sexuality education. However, legal ambiguities surrounding adolescents’ independent access to contraceptives, abortion care, and some SRHR services continue to create barriers.
Elsewhere in the region, South Africa allows adolescents aged 12 years and above to independently consent to HIV testing and medical treatment where they demonstrate sufficient maturity. Kenya has strengthened protections against child marriage but continues to face legal uncertainty regarding adolescents’ access to some reproductive health services. Zimbabwe recently raised the legal age of sexual consent to 18 years, reinforcing efforts to protect children while highlighting the need to balance protection with access to youth-friendly health services.
The evidence is clear: harmonised, rights-based age of consent laws improve adolescents’ access to HIV prevention, treatment, contraception, comprehensive sexuality education, and other lifesaving services. Yet legal reform alone is not enough. Countries must ensure that healthcare providers, educators, communities, and policymakers understand and consistently implement these laws.
As governments work towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and regional SRHR commitments, adolescents must be empowered, not excluded, from making informed decisions about their health.
Protecting adolescents’ rights means ensuring they can access the information and services they need, when they need them.
