Réseau des Femmes Oeuvrant pour le Développement Rural the first long-lasting, women-led non-governmental organisation with a national scope in Rwanda, is celebrating a significant victory in reproductive health rights following the passage of a new ministerial law on December 9, 2024.

The law allows safe abortion procedures to be performed in health centres, rather than being limited to hospitals, marking a step in improving access to services, particularly for vulnerable people with low income.

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This achievement follows years of advocacy through the SDSR-Rwanda project—an initiative focused on sexual and reproductive health rights—led by Réseau de Femmes in partnership with L’AMIE and funded by Global Affairs Canada. Through this project, Reseau des Femmes has elaborated a summary of obstacles in the law governing sexual and Reproductive Health

Based on that summary, over the past year, Réseau de Femmes has organised advocacy meetings, including on September 6, 2024, and November 29, 2024, with stakeholders, local governments, and parliament members to push for these critical changes.

The new law addresses key challenges, including decentralising abortion services, expanding healthcare providers&039; roles, and improving provisions related to parental consent for minors, ensuring more accessible and equitable care for vulnerable populations.

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Seraphine Mukeshimana, the project coordinator of SDSR-Rwanda, emphasised that the newly approved ministerial law providing access to safe abortion services in health centres is a significant milestone highlighting the step in advancing reproductive rights and improving public health.

"We are proud of the approved ministerial law allowing safe abortion services in health centres. This will ease access to health services, it will reduce barriers, and ensure timely, compassionate care, particularly in rural areas, where it will help to reduce the risks of unsafe abortions,” she said.

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Xaverine Uwimana, Legal Representative at Reseau de Femmes, pointed out that while abortion is legal, there have been significant challenges related to accessing the service. In particular, people seeking abortion care had difficulty reaching hospitals or polyclinics, especially in large regions, making it harder for individuals to obtain necessary care.

"But also, as Réseau de Femme, we encourage people to prevent unwanted pregnancies and we also warn people if they are going to have sex, they should take protection and remember to use a condom. They should also take contraceptive measures, because these methods are available and are provided by all medical services, including healthcare providers. Different clinics, we really encourage people to reduce unwanted pregnancy, because getting rid of it is not a cure, the first cure is not to get pregnant,” she said.

She also added that the new law allowing abortions to be performed at health centres has made a substantial difference, bringing the service closer to those in need and reducing barriers to access.

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One woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared her experience with the challenges of accessing abortion services before the law changed.

She emphasised that the new law allowing abortion at health centres is crucial for individuals like her who faced financial and logistical barriers. She recalled struggling to afford transportation to the hospital and believes the new law will ease the burden on those in similar situations.

"It would be great because it was difficult for me. It cost me about Rwf6,000 for the tickets, But now if the service is available in health centres, whoever wants it can even go by foot,” she stated.

Réseau des Femmes is opening Karame Specialized Clinic to further contribute to improving sexual and reproductive health by providing essential care and support to the community.