The main Opposition party in Grenada, the New National Party (NNP), has declared it will not support the government’s plan to reduce the Age of Civil Responsibility from 18 to 16 years. The proposed legislation would allow minors to seek sexual and reproductive health treatment without parental or guardian consent.
The Dickon Mitchell-led government intends to amend the Age of Civil Legal Responsibility (Amendment) Act 2025 during Parliament’s upcoming session on Thursday. The bill aims to redefine “minister” and lower the consent age for sexual and reproductive health services.
Opposition Leader Emmalin Pierre expressed strong opposition to the bill, stating, “Under no circumstances will the Opposition join with the Grenadian Government tomorrow to support the passage of a Bill to amend the age for civil legal responsibility from 18 to 16 years, and in some cases to give the minister authority for a 12-year-old to be able to make certain decisions without the consent of a parent.”
In a Facebook video, Pierre emphasized the bill’s wide-ranging consequences and called for broader public discussion. She urged the government to allow the bill to proceed only to its first reading stage to enable stakeholder engagement. “We are hoping that the Government decides not to proceed with the passage of this Bill tomorrow,” she said.
The proposed amendments stem from the Spotlight Initiatives, a program launched in 2020 and completed in November 2023, focused on reducing family violence through legislative reforms.
According to the bill, a minor aged 16 or older would have the legal right to consent to any sexual or reproductive health treatment—including diagnostic procedures—with the same legal effect as an adult. The bill also grants the minister, in consultation with the health minister, the power to authorize minors aged 12 to 15 to consent to specified sexual and reproductive health services by order published in the Gazette.
“Sexual and reproductive health treatment” is defined in the bill as any medical, surgical, or counseling service related to sexual and reproductive health, including access to contraceptives, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS, sexual health education, risk assessments, and counseling.
The legislation has sparked debate over minors’ rights to autonomy in health matters versus parental consent, with the Opposition urging more comprehensive public discourse before any changes are enacted.
