Four policies changing the game on violence against women and vulnerable people in East and Southern Africa
When it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights in East and Southern Africa, the numbers are stark: The region has some of the world’s highest rates of gender-based violence, adolescent pregnancy and remains the epicentre of the HIV crisis. Two-thirds of the global population of adolescents living with HIV reside in this region, and adolescent girls are six times as likely to acquire HIV as their male counterparts.
But the headlines often don’t reflect the changes that are improving lives across the continent.
Take the 2gether 4 SRHR programme, for example, a collaboration between UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO, that works to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all in East and Southern Africa. In partnership with the Government of Sweden, the program has helped to improve the health and well-being of 640 million people since 2018.
This regional program has a vision of ensuring that all people, particularly adolescents, young people and key populations, are empowered and supported to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and access quality integrated SRH services so that they can enjoy a healthy life.
However, when it comes to making a lasting impact, it is clear that investments are also needed to create enabling policies and laws. Thanks to partnerships with the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), and the Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), there has been considerable progress in tracking and safeguarding the rights of women and girls and other groups at risk.
Here are policies and laws advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights that have either been adopted in East and Southern Africa, or are in process:
SADC Model Law on GBV: Finalised in 2021, this model law serves as a legal framework for SADC member states to guide and harmonise national legislation on Gender-based violence. The model law emphasises GBV prevention and response in a region where 17% of girls and women have experienced forced sex in a lifetime and 8.6% have experienced sexual violence by a non-intimate partner. Eswatini, Lesotho, and Uganda have all passed laws that have strengthened provisions to deter sexual harassment, to protect survivors and ensure the prosecution of perpetrators.
SADC Minimum Standards for Key Populations: This policy establishes minimum protection standards for key populations, aiming to reduce violence, stigma, and discrimination and ensure access to GBV services. It serves as a guideline for SADC countries to create safe environments for these groups. Key populations in East and Southern Africa are: gay men and other men who have sex with men; sex workers; transgender people; people who inject drugs; and prisoners and other incarcerated people.
Lesotho Counter Domestic Violence Act of 2022: This law strengthens protection for survivors of domestic violence, focusing on measures to safeguard victims and hold perpetrators accountable. It aims to improve service coordination and public awareness around domestic violence issues in Lesotho.
The Botswana Penal Code was amended, raising the age of consent to sex from 16 to 18 years. This was designed to protect young people, whose sexual debut usually begins between 15 and 19 years, but often younger. There is a risk that sexual activity between consenting adolescents will be criminalised if the age of consent is set too high. The Botswana Penal Code included a ‘Romeo and Juliet clause’ making allowances for this, ensuring that consensual sex between young people is not criminalised when there is not more than a two-year age difference between them.
Each step forward in addressing gender-based violence is driven by a story of bravery and demand for change, whether it be legislators, health care workers, and community activists. Let's celebrate all these heroes who are driving progress.
About 2gether 4 SRHR
2gether 4 SRHR programme is a collaboration between UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO, that works to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all in Eastern and Southern Africa. In partnership with the Government of Sweden, the program has helped to improve the health and well-being of 640 million people since 2018.