Much discussion has been going on concerning children having sex and getting into early marriages. Recently the Zimbabwe Youth Council and the Justice for Children Trust held a breakfast meeting during which outgoing junior parliamentarians discussed the above issues with their senior counterparts. Then the Prosecutor General also came in with his views on allowing children as young as 12 to have sex. Cool Lifestyle took the case to the schools and we carry the teens’ reaction to the “12 Debate”:

I think to say children can consent to sex at age 12 is gross abuse in the sense that they will be exposed to the dangers of early parenthood and living with STIs or the deadly HIV. This is the same reason why most students are dropping out of school after their rights have been infringed. The Government must reverse the statement and avert moral decadence.

Usher Mwakiwa, 18, Mufakose High 1.

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Allowing the age of consent to be revised down to 12 years will be a long walk to the freedom of the girl child. We are really trying to fight against child marriages and succumbing to the age call will plunge down every effort. Children must be protected by the law and not left to fight their own battles at 12. Let us consider the innocent girls and revise the age even up to 19 for boys and 18 for girls.

Charlene Mapaike, 17, Lundi Christian High School.

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It is not possible that children can consent to sex at the age of 12, they will be still young and innocent to decide for themselves. This, however, gives a free call to sugar daddies, mummies and rapists to use the advantage and escape saying the child had consented to sex. My plea to the authorities is to shift the age maybe to 21 for boys and 18 for girls so that we can reduce teenage pregnancies.

Tadiwa Bushu, 19, Ezekiel Guti Community College.

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It is with great disappointment that as Zimbabweans we think that children as young as 12 can consent to sex. If the law cannot protect the future generation then who will? I think we should not promote dirty criminal practices and make children suffer for the wrong decisions of our parents. We need our voices to be heard and given chances to excel in life not to be exposed to child molesters.

Anesu Chigadza, 18, St Georges College.

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In my own opinion, I think revising the age of consent down to 12 has a negative effect on the girl child because they are always the weaker part. With this in mind, more violence will be driven towards them and they will suffer all day. The authorities must re-think their stance.

Kudakwashe Manhimanzi, 17, Roosevelt Girls High SChool.

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I think education must be the first priority before letting 12-year-olds indulge in sexual activities at such a tender age. Our parents should nurture us into a good culture of pursuing a bright future not arguing about our sexuality. Consenting to sex early will lead to teenage pregnancies, naughtiness and broken homes after parents argue over the issues.

Lebogang Masoha, 12, Southerton Primary School.

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I am the future of tomorrow and I do not want to be rushed into marriage. I still have a lot to learn, I am a child and not a wife. If one says I can consent to sex at my age then they are taking all that away from me. I suggest the age of consent be revised upwards.

Lisa Kamunhu, 12, Dominican Convent Primary School.

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I think as children we should be allowed to make our own decisions and not only parents making them for us. We are the future leaders and our generation will not be punished because the authorities think we have grown to be wives and husbands whilst we are young. We say no to consenting to sex at 12.

Tariro Shati, 19, Hilbright Science College.

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Our pride as children is being taken away easily, the law should be our custodian and not against us. We cannot walk freely when the only hope we had is being pinned on our ability to be able to consent to sex at 12 years of age. If our Government really wants the country’s future leaders to be full of potential, then they must consider children as assets and not slaves of sex.

Kudakwashe Murinda, 17, Dominican Convent School.

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The age is too much to bear as compared to the innocence of the 12-year-olds, to say they would be knowing what will be happening is a lie because as children we need to be led in a decent way that promotes our moral values and not disadvantaging the weak. I think if the age is revised upwards, children will live at peace in the community.

Liossa Mudhala, 16, Victoria High School.

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I think we should not let children indulge in whatever comes their way in the name of love, sex, drugs and other things that expose them to dangerous behaviours. To say children can consent to sex at 12 is an infringement on our right to freedom and to be heard. Children must grow up first and consent later at maybe 19 or 21 where they would have matured enough to make their own decisions.

Chido Karikoga, 18, Roosevelt Girls High School.

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A child is the most treasured asset on earth and to be in her mind is the dumbest thing ever, to think that any of them below the age of 20 can consent to sex is rather too harsh on them because it is like signing a death warrant on them. Children can only grow in brilliance if they are afforded the best rights away from early sexuality and drug abuse.

Morleen Whande,18, Harare High School.

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I think the girl child has been let down by the statements ushered in by the Prosecutor General that clearly gave men the power to do whatever they want with young girls. I see this as a way to continue shunning the girl child and only regarding her as a sex slave. I remember when I was 12 and I cannot recall even for one day, how I could think straight and consent to anything a boy asked of me. I used to run away from them. So the age of consent should be revised upwards.

Chido Hondoma, 17, St Francis Secondary School.

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