By Bertrand Byishimo
January 17, 2022
Regional Civil Society Organisations have convened in Kigali for a two-day conference to discuss, share, and foster partnerships on access to safe abortion and sexual reproductive health.
The conference was organised by a coalition of Health Development Initiative (HDI), Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD), Ihorere Munyarwanda (IMRO) and Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP).
By Lovejoy Mutongwiza
Oct 20, 2021
The
COVID-19 pandemic which brought about lockdown restrictions has further
restricted women and girls’ access to safe abortion services in traditionally
marginalized communities in Zimbabwe.
With COVID-19
restrictions, obtaining the necessary appointments and documents to access
health facilities has become a nightmare, especially for women in poor areas
and this has aided the need for most women and girls who fell pregnant,
unintentionally or otherwise, to Nicodemusly seek the termination of
pregnancies.
Continued: https://www.263chat.com/backyard-abortions-zimbabwes-silent-pandemic/
By Nasra Bishumba
Published : October 19, 2021
The Supreme Court on Monday, October 18 heard a case in which a local non-governmental organisation, Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD), sought to challenge two articles within the Penal Code regarding safe abortion.
Article 72 of the law determining the jurisdiction of courts stipulates that any person, company or association with legal personality can petition the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional if they have any interest.
Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/supreme-court-hears-case-safe-abortion
By Brenda Mutoni
September 30, 2021
Worldwide, women enjoy 25% fewer legal rights than men. Millions of women around the world are not able to make decisions about their own bodies.
According to research published in September 2021 by UNFPA titled “My body is my own. Claiming the right to autonomy and self-determination”, just over half of women and girls in middle- and low-income countries have the right to decide for themselves whether they have sex, use contraception or seek medical care. In some sub-Saharan countries, the figure is even below 10%.
By Edwin Ashimwe
April 14,
2021
A few months after the Ministry of Education ordered schools to stop asking for
a pregnancy test as a precondition for admission, Riviera High School has
defied the directive.
In a letter from Kabuga-based school signed by its principal Boniface Onyango
and addressed to parents, a pregnancy test is one of the requirements for
admission for all female students.
Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/riviera-high-school-defies-govt-directive-pregnancy-test
By Joan Mbabazi
Published : September 30, 2020
Participants representing different organisations encouraged the youth and women to make use of safe abortion services.
Health Development Initiative (HDI) on Monday, September 28 partnered with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other organisations to celebrate the International Safe Abortion Day. The celebrations were held at Kibagabaga Hospital and the main message for the day centred on measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/rwanda-celebrates-international-safe-abortion-day
by Ange Iliza
Published : August 17, 2020
Health Development Initiative, a local NGO that seeks to boost the living standards of Rwandans, has carried out an intensive practical training about rights, legal frameworks pertaining to safe abortion.
The training that was held in Kigali on August 14-15, was attended by over 40 final year medical students who have already started operating in different hospitals in Rwanda.
Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/featured-hdi-trains-future-physicians-safe-abortion
By Ange Iliza
August 13, 2020
The law relating to Human Reproductive Health in Rwanda grants every person the right to medical services and information related to human reproductive health.
However, the law limits people under 18 years of age from deciding for themselves on issues regarding reproductive health and offers no clear guidelines on how adolescents can access services related to sexual health and reproduction.
Pharmacies price the pill at Rwf 10,000, Rwf 15,000, or even Rwf 25,000 instead of Rwf 4,200
By Dr Aflodis Kagaba
Published : June 29, 2020
During an unexpected and often dangerous situation, a person is required to take immediate action, the same applies to the prevention of an unwanted pregnancy.
The ever-increasing access to birth control for Rwandan women is a sign of progress in supporting them to take more control of their bodies.
Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/opinions/access-emergency-contraceptive-pills-womans-right-not-luxury
Rwanda to release 50 women jailed for having abortions
Activists welcome pardons, but call for relaxation of abortion laws and an end to punitive measures such as life sentences
Christophe Hitayezu in Kigali
Published on Thu 21 May 2020
Rwanda is to release 50 women who were jailed for having abortions after a personal pardon was issued by the country’s president, Paul Kagame.
Human rights activists welcomed the pending release of the women, six of whom had been given life sentences – the highest penalty available to the courts – two serving 25 years and the others terms ranging from 12 months to 20 years.
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