
These are Libya and Sudan, both of which have conservative views on sexuality and gender. Some countries in Africa require people to be married before they can legally have sex. Nigeria is followed by Angola, where the age of consent is 12 years. This would then not only be the lowest age of consent in Africa, but also in the world. In countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda the age of consent is 18 years.ĭue to seemingly contradictory laws in Nigeria, the age of consent is unclear but could potentially mean that a child younger than 11 years, if married, can legally have sex. In Botswana, Senegal and Namibia a child can consent to sex from the age of 16 years. In most African countries the age of consent is either 16 or 18 years, but the lowest is open-ended, due to marriage laws. The debate around the age of consent is as serious as it ever. The age of consent in other African countries Source: Sections 15 and 16 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007. Any sexual act with a child under the age of 12 years is statutory rape or sexual assault. The law further states that no child under the age of 12 years can consent to sex. Firstly, if the children engaging in sexual acts together are between the ages 12 and 16, they will not be criminally charged and it is not criminal for a child older than 12 years to have sex with a partner who is less than two years older than they are.

This, however, does come with exceptions. In South Africa, while a child is legally defined as a person under the age of 18 years, the age of consent is 16 years, regardless of gender and sexual orientation. What is the age of consent in South Africa? It is important that we educate ourselves and our children on what sexual consent is. Any sexual activity without consent constitutes rape or sexual assault.

Consent should be given before sexual activity occurs. Sexual consent means agreeing to take part in any kind of sexual activity.
