By Sandrine M.

Members of Parliament in Rwanda have rejected a bill to ammend the 2016 law to allow girls from 15 years to use contraceptives.

This comes after group of MPs had introduced the bill in order to curb teenage pregnancies that have risen by 21% – from more than 19,000 in 2020 to 23,000 last year.

In Rwanda, Only 18 year olds and above are legally allowed to access sexual reproductive health services although there has been debate among health activists, cultural and religious leaders about lowering that limit.

More than 30 MPs who rejected the bill cited their faith, social and cultural reasons, local media report.

According to Aflodis Kagaba, a Rwandan reproductive health activist, girls less than 18 will need authorisation to access reproductive health services.

“Today if you are under 18 and need sexual and reproductive health services you are required to be accompanied by parents for their approval.” Kagaba remarked.

Source, BBC

Photo Credit: BBC