ROGUE MUM IS WRONG BECAUSE A GIRL, 11, IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO SAY YES TO HAVING SEX

ON Friday, we carried the story of an 11-year-old girl who gave birth in Bulawayo after being impregnated by her stepfather.

We also reported that her mother is defending her husband, the girl’s step father, and claiming that this wasn’t a rape case because, she foolishly claims, her daughter consented to the sex.

Nothing can be more sickening than this.It raises troubling questions about how society understands rape, consent and the protection of children.While the mother may genuinely believe that her daughter willingly entered into a sexual relationship, the law and basic principles of child protection make it clear that a minor cannot legally consent to sexual activity with an adult.

That is why her argument that “it was not rape because there was consent” is deeply flawed.

Children and teenagers are still developing emotionally, mentally and psychologically. They are often vulnerable to manipulation, coercion and exploitation by adults who hold greater power, experience and influence. Even where a young girl appears to agree to a sexual relationship, the law recognises that she is not in a position to make an informed decision in the same way an adult can.

This is the very reason why statutory rape laws exist in many countries, including Zimbabwe.

The purpose of these laws is not to punish youthful romance but to protect minors from adults who take advantage of their immaturity.

An adult who engages in sexual relations with a child cannot hide behind claims of consent because the responsibility lies with the adult to respect the boundaries established by law. The mother’s position is particularly concerning because parents are expected to be the first line of defence for their children. Society entrusts mothers and fathers with the duty of safeguarding young people from harm.

When a parent dismisses an alleged sexual offence on the basis that the child agreed to it, there is a risk of normalising behaviour that places minors in danger. This is not to suggest that every parent who expresses such views is acting out of malice. Some may be influenced by cultural beliefs, economic pressures or misunderstandings about the law.

Others may be attempting to avoid family conflict or public embarrassment. However, none of these factors changes the legal reality that a child cannot provide valid consent to sexual activity with an adult.

Cases such as these also highlight the importance of public education.

Communities need greater awareness of what constitutes statutory rape and why the law takes such a firm stance.

Too often, people focus on whether the young person appeared willing, rather than asking whether the adult involved had any business pursuing a sexual relationship with a minor in the first place.The consequences of teenage pregnancies can be life-altering. Young girls may be forced to abandon their education, face health risks associated with early motherhood and experience emotional trauma that affects them for years.

Consent is a crucial concept in adult relationships, but when it comes to minors and adults, the law draws a clear line. That line exists to protect children, and it should never be blurred.