Table 1.

The sexual- and reproductive-health rights of adolescents

Interventions	Age of consent (yr)	Capacity requirement, if any	Public policy requirement, if any	Capacity category
Contraceptives	12	Not specified	None	Age
HIV testing	12	None, unless the child is under 12, when they must show ‘sufficient maturity and the mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks, social and other implications of the test’	Testing must be in the ‘best interests’ of the child Pre- and post-test counselling must be provided	Age and express public policy requirement
Medical treatment	12	‘Sufficient maturity and the mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks, social and other implications of the treatment’	None	Age and an express capacity requirement
Prescribed drugs	14 (to change to 12 when amendments to the Act are brought into operation in the future)	None	None	Age
Male circumcision	16	None	Circumcision must be preceded by ‘proper counselling’	Age and express public policy requirement
Virginity testing	16	No	Only after ‘proper counselling’	Age and express public policy requirement
Sterilisations	18	No	None	Prohibition of service to adolescents under 18
Termination of pregnancy	No specified age	No	The medical practitioner/midwife to advise the child to consult with her parents, guardian, family members or friends before the pregnancy is terminated	Express public policy requirement