Rwanda plans wider contraception access against teen pregnancy

Rwanda is seeking to tackle rampant teenage pregnancy by extending reproductive health services to girls as young as 15, in new legislation submitted to parliament this week.

The bill intends to give girls aged 15 and above access to contraception but is expected to face resistance in the culturally conservative central African country and has already been rejected once.

Supporters of the measure, introduced in parliament on Tuesday, argue the current law discriminates against people under the age of 18 by denying them the right to make decisions about their reproductive health.

It is expected to be discussed in the coming days before a vote is held.

"We hope it is high time parliament passes it so that young people are not denied their rights to contraceptives and reproductive health," Aflodis Kagaba, executive director of the Health Development Initiative NGO, told AFP on Wednesday.

"We have provided ample research and facts to show that young people are sexually active, and we need to protect them," Kagaba said.

Opponents of the bill, such as politician Christine Mukabunani, told AFP it could lead to a risk of teens being sexually exploited and abused by adults.

But Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana -- who submitted the legislation -- argued that denying teenagers access to reproductive health services contributes to high rates of teenage pregnancy.

"Inaccessibility to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception, results in high rates of unintended pregnancy, which is why we have lowered the age of consent for healthcare services from 18 to 15," he said.

Teen pregnancies are increasing in Rwanda, according to the health ministry, with more than 10,000 recorded between January and June this year alone.

Abortion is illegal in Rwanda unless it results from rape, incest or forced marriage.