What is chemical castration, and which countries are using it to deal with sex offenders?

If the proposal is adopted, both males and females found guilty of sexual abuse on children and persons living with disabilities. 

Led by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, the technical working group on gender-based violence, including femicide, outlined the enabling factors, and gaps in the legal justice system that have crippled the eradication of GBV, including femicide. 

What is chemical castration? 

Chemical Castration is a form of castration via anaphrodisiac drugs, used to reduce libido and sexual activity. 

It is performed through injection or tablets to reduce libido or sexual activity. The drugs also reduce the circulation of testosterone to a very low level.

The Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) limit invasive sexual thoughts, while anti-androgens reduce the production of testosterone and libido. 

The drugs can be taken alongside psychiatric work that targets other causes of sexual offending, such as a desire for power and control.

In women, chemical castration involves using medications, such as GnRH agonists or anti-androgens, to severely suppress ovarian function and lower testosterone levels.

As a result, one may develop a rapid, reversible, yet often intense, menopause-like state. This could cause a woman to have a significant reduction in libido, hot flashes, vaginal dryness/thinning, osteoporosis, anaemia, and even emotional changes like depression.

However, the method has raised serious ethical, social, and medical concerns, including a lack of informed consent, high costs, and side effects such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, depression, and metabolic disorders. 

While Kenya moves to implement chemical castration as a punishment for sex offenders, there are countries that already have legislation allowing the same. 

In May 2025, the British government decided to roll out the use of medication to suppress the sex drive of sex offenders, as part of a package of measures to reduce the risk of reoffending and alleviate the pressures on the prison system, which was running out of space. 

The Associated Press reported on a statement by British Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said the chemical castration would be used in 20 prisons in two regions, and she was considering making it mandatory.

“Of course, it is vital that this approach is taken alongside psychological interventions that target other causes of offending, like asserting power and control,” she said.

Earlier on September 19, 2024, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration moved toward legalizing chemical castration, with MPs approving the creation of a committee that could draft laws treating sex offenders with androgen-blocking drugs.

A number of countries around the world have approved and implemented chemical castration either as punishment or treatment. In 2017, Indonesia approved it for those who commit sexual crimes against minors. 

The United States approved chemical castration in 1966 as a treatment for patients with “pedophilic impulses.” 

The state of California became the first to pass a law mandating chemical castration for certain repeat sex offenders. So far, 11 states approve the use of chemical castration, though it is rarely adopted by courts. 

On 25 September 2009, Poland passed an amendment to the Penal Code to include chemical castration for child molesters. This made it the first country in the Ethiopian Union to approve the measure.

Russia’s parliament passed a similar law on October 4, 2011. Moldavia passed it on a mandatory basis for juvenile rapists on 6 March 2012. 

Estonia approved it in June 2012 and Corea Del Sur on 2 January 2013. 

Other countries that have approved forced chemical castration on pedophiles include Pakistan on November 18, 2021, South Korea in 2011, Ukraine in July 2019, The Czech Republic in 1966, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Norway, Nigeria, and Sweden.

On a voluntary basis, it is planned in the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, France, and Argentina, as the only country in Latin America.