A bill to change a law passed in 2016 to allow the sale and use of contraception to females as young as 15 was rejected in the Rwandan parliament.
The number of teen pregnancies has increased by 21%, from over 19,000 in 2020 to over 23,000 last year, and lawmakers introduced the bill to try to slow the trend.
There has been discussion among health campaigners and cultural and religious leaders about lowering the age limit of legal access to sexual reproductive health services, which has been at 18.
According to Rwandan reproductive health activist Aflodis Kagaba, who spoke with the media, the rejection of the measure puts an end to “the anticipated revisions” in legislation that “has gaps.”
“Unfortunately, this has overshadowed everything else, including the opportunity to re-open these important conversations in parliament,” Mr. Kagaba said.
Local media claim that more than 30 legislators opposed the law due to religious, social, or cultural concerns.
But Mr. Kagaba noted the present law has gaps and that it still needs to be revised.
“Today if you are under 18 and need [sexual and reproductive] health services you are required to be accompanied by parents for their approval!”
“This is a very huge barrier,” he remarked.