News / Local
Lower age of sexual consent to 13, youths plead
11 Dec 2016 at 01:28hrs | Views
Youths have made a passionate plea to authorities to lower the age of sexual consent from 16 to 13 years.
The plea was made during a People's Network (YPN) — an arm of the National Aids Council (NAC) that coordinates programmes on youths sexual reproductive health and HIV and Aids issues on Wednesday.
Participants, mainly youths, said most teenagers were indulging in sex with their peers at the age of 13 years.
According to reports, one unnamed female speaker tabled the proposal and supported by several others.
"The
ideal solution would be to change the age of consent to 13 years from
the current 16 years. This is because most young people are indulging in
sex at a very young age," she is quoted saying by the Standard.
On Thursday in parliament, Primary and Secondary Education minister, Lazarus Dokora said 4 500 primary pupils dropped out of school this year due to pregnancies and marriage.
Added another, "Whether we like it or not, most teenagers are now experiencing their first sexual encounter with their peers at around the age of 13.
"Indeed, the average age of first sexual contact is now 13 years.These first sexual encounters may include intercourse or may be limited to oral sex, mutual masturbation and sexual touching."
The plea was made during a People's Network (YPN) — an arm of the National Aids Council (NAC) that coordinates programmes on youths sexual reproductive health and HIV and Aids issues on Wednesday.
Participants, mainly youths, said most teenagers were indulging in sex with their peers at the age of 13 years.
According to reports, one unnamed female speaker tabled the proposal and supported by several others.
On Thursday in parliament, Primary and Secondary Education minister, Lazarus Dokora said 4 500 primary pupils dropped out of school this year due to pregnancies and marriage.
Added another, "Whether we like it or not, most teenagers are now experiencing their first sexual encounter with their peers at around the age of 13.
"Indeed, the average age of first sexual contact is now 13 years.These first sexual encounters may include intercourse or may be limited to oral sex, mutual masturbation and sexual touching."
Source - Byo24News
