sexual health and human rights in the african region - The ICHRP
sexual health and human rights in the african region - The ICHRP
sexual health and human rights in the african region - The ICHRP
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<strong>in</strong>novations <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> African <strong>region</strong> <strong>in</strong> terms of design<strong>in</strong>g legislation that is<br />
<strong>in</strong>tended to deal not only with <strong>in</strong>dividual cases of domestic violence but also <strong>the</strong><br />
eradication of domestic violence at a systemic level.<br />
9.8 Violence: Female Genital Mutilation<br />
[33] An <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g number of African countries have female genital specific<br />
legislation. However, laws on female genital mutilation follow a predom<strong>in</strong>antly<br />
crime <strong>and</strong> punishment model. <strong>The</strong>y do not impose state duties to educate <strong>and</strong><br />
raise awareness about <strong>the</strong> harmful effects of <strong>the</strong> practice.<br />
[33] <strong>The</strong> African Women’s Protocol conta<strong>in</strong>s a framework for eradicat<strong>in</strong>g harmful<br />
traditional practices such as female genital mutilation <strong>in</strong> a manner that goes<br />
beyond proscription to <strong>in</strong>clude awareness-rais<strong>in</strong>g, education, provision of<br />
pert<strong>in</strong>ent material support, <strong>and</strong> protection of those that are at risk of be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
subjected to <strong>the</strong> practice. 897<br />
9.9 Violence: Virg<strong>in</strong>ity Test<strong>in</strong>g<br />
[34] Virg<strong>in</strong>ity test<strong>in</strong>g does not appear to be a widespread phenomenon.<br />
[35] South Africa <strong>and</strong> Zimbabwe have legislative provisions that address virg<strong>in</strong>ity<br />
test<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> South African Children’s Act explicitly proscribes it for girls below<br />
16 years <strong>and</strong> requires <strong>in</strong>formed consent older girls <strong>and</strong> women. Virg<strong>in</strong>ity test<strong>in</strong>g<br />
constitutes domestic violence under <strong>the</strong> Zimbabwean Domestic Violence Act if<br />
carried out at <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>stigation of person who is <strong>in</strong> a domestic relationship with <strong>the</strong><br />
girl or woman.<br />
9.10 Access to Health Services Related to Sex <strong>and</strong> Sexuality<br />
[36] <strong>The</strong> African Charter, <strong>the</strong> African Children’s Charter <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> African Women’s<br />
Protocol on <strong>the</strong> Rights of Women provide good edifices for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>and</strong><br />
implementation of a right to <strong>health</strong> services for <strong>the</strong> realization of <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>health</strong> at<br />
<strong>the</strong> domestic level. However, domestic constitutions <strong>and</strong> legislation have<br />
generally not followed suit.<br />
[37] <strong>The</strong> South African Constitution provides <strong>in</strong>structive models for respect<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
protect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> fulfill<strong>in</strong>g access to <strong>health</strong> services. Section 27 of <strong>the</strong> South African<br />
Constitution which guarantees everyone a right to <strong>health</strong> services is modeled<br />
after <strong>the</strong> Convention on Economic, Social <strong>and</strong> Cultural Rights. Section 27 has<br />
been <strong>in</strong>terpreted <strong>and</strong> applied <strong>in</strong> a progressive manner by <strong>the</strong> Constitutional<br />
Court of South Africa.<br />
897 Article 5 of <strong>the</strong> African Women’s Protocol.<br />
242