ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenada government says it intends to table legislation aimed at reducing the age of civil responsibility from 18 to 16 years, so that minors will not have to seek permission from parents or guardians when they require sexual and reproductive health treatment.
The Age of Civil Legal Responsibility (Amendment) Act, 2025 is listed on the Order Paper for the July 24 sitting of the House of Representatives, and if passed, will allow the minister to insert the definition that notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a minor who has attained the age of 16 years shall have the legal capacity to consent to any sexual or reproductive health treatment, including diagnostic procedures, and his or her consent shall be as effective as if that minor were of full age.
“Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Health, if he or she is satisfied that there is good cause to do so, by Order published in the Gazette, provide that a minor who has attained the age of 12 years but not yet attained the age of 16 years shall have the legal capacity to consent any sexual or reproductive health treatment specified in that Order, including diagnostic procedures, and his or her consent shall be as effective as if that minor were of full age.”
The Bill further notes that “sexual and reproductive health treatment” means any medical, surgical or counselling service or treatment provided to support the sexual and reproductive health of an individual, including access to contraceptive methods, management of menstrual and gynaecological health conditions and sexual health education, risk assessment and counselling.
The age of sexual consent in Grenada, according to the criminal code, is 16 years.
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