Rwanda – HDI trains future physicians on safe abortion

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

17.08.2020

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Dr. Kagaba Aflodis

Dr. Leo Bonfils Muhirwa

Fidele Mutoni

Health Development Initiative

Novella Mutoni Shema

training in abortion rights

training of abortion providers

Rwanda – If you are under 18, the law limits your access to reproductive health services. It is time to change, activists say

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.

Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/if-you-are-under-18-law-limits-your-access-reproductive-health-services-it-time-change

13.08.2020

Centre for Health and Rights

Clementine Nyirarukundo

Marie Ange Uwase

minors access to healthcare

Paper Crown Rwanda

Rwanda Human Reproductive Health law

Access to emergency contraceptive pills is a woman’s right, not a luxury

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

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.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/21/rwanda-to-release-50-women-jailed-for-having-abortions

As Rwanda frees women arrested on abortion charges, questions come on abortion rights in Africa

Nii Ntreh
May 21, 2020

The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has pardoned some 50 women who were arrested and prosecuted for the offenses of either having an abortion or assisting in the process.

This follows another 52 who were released last year for the same crime. The country’s Justice Minister, Johnston Busingye, said the most recent release consists of the last batch of women prosecuted for the termination of pregnancies.

Continued: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/as-rwanda-frees-women-arrested-on-abortion-charges-questions-come-on-abortion-rights-in-africa

21.05.2020

jailing women for abortion

Rwanda orders release of young women jailed over abortions

Rwanda orders release of young women jailed over abortions

by Ignatius Ssuuna, The Associated Press
Posted May 19, 2020

KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda’s president has pardoned and ordered the release of 50 young women who were jailed for having or assisting with abortions.

Justice Minister Johnston Busingye said the women released Tuesday were the last to be freed. Last year, President Paul Kagame ordered the release of 52 women.

Continued: https://www.570news.com/2020/05/19/rwanda-orders-release-of-young-women-jailed-over-abortions/

19.05.2020

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jailing women for abortion

Rwanda – Let’s stop restrictions on contraceptives for teenagers

Let’s stop restrictions on contraceptives for teenagers

By Andre Ndayambaje
Published : March 12, 2020

Mercy Mbabazi died at the age of 14 from severe infection due to unsafe abortion. Although she attempted to use emergency contraceptives to avoid that pregnancy, Mercy was not given the morning after pills because Rwandan laws say that teenagers need permission from their parents or must be accompanied by their guardians to access reproductive health services.

Mercy is just one case in an epidemic of teenage pregnancies sweeping Rwanda. Recent data shows that teenage pregnancies in the country have increased by 200 per cent in the last ten years. In the last four years, 78,000 teenage births were reported in Rwanda.

Continued: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/opinions/lets-stop-restrictions-contraceptives-teenagers

Rwandan president pardons 52 abortion convicts

Rwandan pardons 52 abortion convicts

Published on 12.10.2019
By APA News

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has signed a decree on pardoning 52 abortion convicts including those convicted for the offenses of infanticide, on the eve of the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, in a statement obtained Saturday by APA in Kigali. The statement issued from the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Kagame said the presidential pardon means that the President has exercised his power of mercy to give people another chance.

Rwandan minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye said the President finds it fitting to give these convicts a second chance.

Continued: https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/rwandan-pardons-52-abortion-convicts/

12.10.2019

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GirlForce: Unscripted and unstoppable

International Day of the Girl

Rwanda: How Literate are Health Care Providers about Abortion?

Rwanda: How Literate are Health Care Providers about Abortion?

By Dan Ngabonziza
June 10, 2019

Therese Mujawayezu is a 4th year medical student pursuing General Medicine at the University of Rwanda (UR).

Since childhood, she has been hearing elders describe abortion as a crime, a taboo – to be precise. As a medical student nearing completion and join the job market, Mujawayezu has been shying away whenever a subject on abortion comes up among her peers.

Continued: https://ktpress.rw/2019/06/rwanda-how-literate-are-health-care-providers-about-abortion/

Historic progress on abortion rights in Rwanda

Historic progress on abortion rights in Rwanda

May 6, 2019

Last month, Rwanda made historic progress toward advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights: President Paul Kagame pardoned 367 women and girls who had been jailed for abortion, and a ministerial order broadened the conditions under which people can access abortion. As part of the order, girls under 18 have the right to terminate a pregnancy before 22 weeks.

“These steps recognize abortion as a health and rights issue and acknowledge that imprisoning women for abortion does not address the reasons why women have abortions,” says Gillian Kane, Ipas senior policy and advocacy advisor.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/2019/May/historic-progress-on-abortion-rights-in-rwanda