The Social Development Department on Friday defended provisions in the Children’s Act giving access to contraceptives to children as young as 12.
The department said it was concerned about ”misinterpretation” of the Act, certain sections of which came into effect last Sunday.
”The Act provides that children should be provided with access to contraceptives.
”This is in realisation of the fact that children are sexually active at a very young age, even though the legal age of consent is 16,” the department said.
Furthermore, given HIV/Aids, especially among teenagers, it would be unwise to deny children access to condoms.
Providing reproductive health services to minors would, most importantly, help detect children in need of care.
”We are mindful of the fact that a sexually active child may be a child in need of care.
”Therefore the health practitioners would be required to report suspicious cases to a child-protection organisation, social workers, police officers or children’s court.”
The child would then receive proper attention and assistance. This would assist children who were abused, neglected and exploited.
In addition, access to contraceptives should go hand in hand with appropriate sexuality education, the department said.
The Act gives effect to certain rights of children, sets out principles relating to the care and protection of children, defines parental responsibilities and rights and makes provision for matters, such as children’s courts, adoption, child abduction and surrogate motherhood. — Sapa