A nuanced approach to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services legislation: is it enough?

South Africa has progressive legislation enabling adolescents to access various sexual and reproductive health services independently, without consent from their parents or legal guardians. However, are adolescents who engage in consensual sex sufficiently protected, especially the girl child? In a recent article in the South African Medical Journal, Prof. Ann Strode from the University of KwaZulu-Natal���s School of Law and Dr Zaynab Essack, an HSRC senior research specialist, identified the strengths and weaknesses of this legislation.