Rwandan parliament has rejected a bill to amend a 2016 law to allow contraceptives to be given to girls from the age of 15.
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, officials said.
Only 18 year olds and above are legally allowed to sexual reproductive health services, but there has been argument among health practitioners, cultural and religious leaders about lowering that limit.
The rejection of the bill stops “the anticipated changes in the law that has gaps. This has overshadowed so many things including the opportunity to re-open these conversations in parliament,” a Rwandan reproductive health activist, Aflodis Kagaba, said.
More than 30 MPs has rejected the bill cited their faith, social and cultural reasons, local media report.
But Mr Kagaba said the current law “has gaps” and believes “it still needs to be revised.”
“If you are below 18 you need to be accompanied by parents for any approval if you need [sexual and reproductive] health services!”
