The Laws protecting women and girls from violence in Eswatini prior to the adoption of the 2005 Constitution
THE GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S PROTECTION ACT Date of commencement: 17th September, 1920. An Act to provide for the protection of women and girls . Short title . 1. This Act may be cited as the Girls’ and Women’s Protection Act, 1920. Interpretation . 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “unlawful carnal connection” means carnal connection otherwise than between husband and wife. Offences in relation to girls under sixteen . 3. (1) Every male person who has unlawful carnal connection with a girl under the age of sixteen years or who commits with a girl under that age immoral or indecent acts or who solicits or entices a girl under such age to the commission of such acts shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding six years with or without whipping not exceeding twenty-four lashes and with or without a fine not exceeding one thousand emalangeni in addition to such imprisonment and lashes.