Archive · 7 Aug 2025
Rwanda Allows Teens to Access Contraceptives Amid Rising Pregnancies
Rwanda has changed the rules so that kids aged 15 can get birth control without their parents' permission.
This is because a lot of teenagers in Rwanda get pregnant, and the government wants to help them.
Before, the age was 18, but many young girls were still becoming pregnant.
The goal is to lower the number of unwanted pregnancies and help girls stay in school.
Some people think this is a good thing because it can prevent problems caused by teenage pregnancies.
Rwanda's lawmakers lowered the minimum age for accessing contraceptives to 15.
The decision aims to address the country's high teenage pregnancy rate.
The legislation was revised after being initially rejected by the parliament.
Unwanted teenage pregnancies led to an upsurge of school dropouts.
The Health Ministry reported over 22,000 teenage pregnancies last year.
- Who
- Rwanda's lawmakers
- What
- Rwanda lowered the minimum age for accessing contraceptives to 15.
- When
- The law was passed on Monday.
- Where
- Rwanda
- Why
- To reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
Proponents
Unknown
Access to Contraceptives
Proponents
Lowering the age limit allows for better access to contraceptives.
Unknown
Unknown due to lack of views against this decision.
- Minimum age for contraceptives
- 15
- Previous age limit
- 18
- Reason for change
- Reduce teenage pregnancies
- Teenage pregnancies last year
- Over 22,000
- Population under 15
- Nearly 40%