The ages of consent for sexual activity vary by jurisdiction across Africa. The specific activity engaged in or the gender of its participants can also be affected by the law. Below is a discussion of the various laws dealing with this subject. The highlighted age refers to an age at or above which an individual can engage in unfettered sexual relations with another who is also at or above that age. Other variables, for example homosexual and/or sodomy provision(s) that are illegal or close in age exceptions may exist and are noted when relevant. Most countries in Africa have no age of consent.
Algeria
The age of consent in Algeria is 16 for vaginal intercourse. "Heterosexual Sodomy" (anal and/or oral sex with an opposite-sex partner) is illegal {Article 388 of the Penal Code}. As well as all same-sex sexual conduct {Article 338} and "outrages to public decency" {Article 333}. The punishment for both the first two activities with those under 18 years of age is more severe for the older participant.[citation needed]
Angola
The age of consent in Angola is 12.[1][2]
Benin
The age of consent is 15 for women and 18 for men.[3]
Burundi
Under the new Penal Code of 2009 (in French), the age of consent in Burundi for heterosexuals (both men and women) is 18 years [2]. However, for the first time in history under Article 567, homosexual acts (both men and women) carry a fine of up to 100,000 Burundian francs and even up to 3 years imprisonment [3].
Cameroon
The age of consent is 16.[4]
Cape Verde
The age of consent in Cape Verde is 16 years, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender.[citation needed].
Comoros
The age of consent in the Comoros is 13.[5]
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Law 09/001 of 10 January 2009 set the age of consent at 18.[6]
Djibouti
The age of consent is 18.[7]
Egypt
The age of consent in Egypt is 18 years, for heterosexual males and females, sex work is illegal and the sex work law has been used against male and female homosexuals [8].
Gambia
The age of consent is 18.[9]
Ghana
The age of consent is 16.[10]
Kenya
The age of consent in Kenya is 16 years, for heterosexual males, females and female homosexuals. Male homosexuals get 25 years in prison. [8].
Libya
The age of consent is 16 for women and 18 for men.[11]
Madagascar
Age of consent is 14 years, according to article 331 in the Criminal Law. In certain cases, including relatives and homosexuals, it is 21 years.Droit francophone: Code Pénal du 17 juin 1972 mis à jour au 30 juin 1998
Mozambique
The age of consent is 16.[12]
Mauritania
The age of consent is 15.[7]
Niger
Article 284 of the Niger legal code sets the age of consent at 13 years.[13]
Senegal
The age of consent for marriage in Senegal is 13.[14]
Sierra Leone
The age of consent is 14.[15]
South Africa
Since 1 January 2008, the age of consent in South Africa is 16 years, regardless of sexual orientation and gender.
Rwanda
The age of consent in Rwanda is 18 years, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender.[8]
Uganda
The age of consent in Uganda is 18 years, for vaginal intercourse. "Heterosexual sodomy" (anal and/or oral sex with an opposite-sex partner) is illegal and can lead to prison[8] as for all same-sex sexual conduct (males and female), face life imprisonment[citation needed].
Zambia
The age of consent is 16.[16]
Zimbabwe
The age of consent in Zimbabwe is 16 years for heterosexual males, females and lesbian females. Having sex with a minor gives rise to charges of statutory rape. Case law gives guidance to the years of imprisonment, with age difference between participants playing a role in sentencing (usually between 12 to 16).[citation needed]. All male same-sex hand-holding and/or male same-sex sexual conduct can lead to one year's imprisonment
See also
- Ages of consent
- Ages of consent in Asia
- Ages of consent in Australia and Oceania
- Ages of consent in Europe
- Ages of consent in North America
- Ages of consent in Central America
- Ages of consent in South America
References
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=n9E0UCBOTXQC&pg=PA145
- ^ http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/angola.html
- ^ http://www.protectionproject.org/human_rights_reports/report_documents/benin.doc
- ^ http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/iwraw/publications/countries/cameroon.htm
- ^ http://www.comores-droit.com/code/penal
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b http://books.google.com/books?id=V1rogCrcOMwC&pg=PA91
- ^ a b c d "Legislation of INTERPOL member states on sexual offences against children" (HTML). INTERPOL. http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/.
- ^ Knowing our rights By Women Living Under Muslim Laws (Organization), International Solidarity Network. p.125.
- ^ http://www.mask.org.za/article.php?cat=ghana&id=259
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=PaBddjB2BYIC&pg=PA145
- ^ http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/mozambique.html
- ^ http://juriniger.lexum.umontreal.ca/juriniger/publication.do?publicationId=814
- ^ Knowing our rights By Women Living Under Muslim Laws (Organization), International Solidarity Network, p. 124
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=9jTt5yJ1Qz8C&pg=PA165
- ^ http://www.ageofconsent.com/zambia.htm
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