The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Consolée Uwimana, has called for the establishment of a Special Court Chamber to handle child defilement cases and ensure compensation for victims and teen mothers once perpetrators are convicted. According to MIGEPROF statistics, Rwanda recorded 22,454 teenage pregnancies in 2024, up from 22,055 in 2023 and 24,472 in 2022. Many of these pregnancies involve girls under 17. ALSO READ: Lawmaker says teenage pregnancies should be treated as ‘epidemic’ In 2023, over 16,650 teenage mothers were aged 18-19, while 5,354 were between 14-17 years old, and 51 were under 14. Despite the alarming figures, many perpetrators remain unpunished. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the prosecution received 3,625 defilement cases. Of these, 1,613 were filed in court, 1,970 were dropped, and 42 remain pending. A total of 2,622 cases went to trial, resulting in 1,711 convictions and 911 acquittals. In the Eastern Province, 8,801 teen pregnancies were recorded in 2023, yet only 70 perpetrators were prosecuted by June 2024, with just 10 receiving sentences. ALSO READ: What will it take for Rwanda to rein in the teenage pregnancy menace? A 2020 study by the Legal Aid Forum and AJPRODHO-JIJUKIRWA revealed that only 15% of defilement cases were taken to court, while 85% were not pursued. Call for a dedicated court chamber During a session in parliament on February 9, Minister Uwimana emphasised the need for a Special Court Chamber dedicated to defilement cases, similar to existing chambers for other specific crimes. “We have a committee that includes the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Security, and the Prosecutor General. We recently discussed and requested the establishment of a special court chamber to specifically address these issues. This would help expedite cases and ensure compensation for victims,” she said. ALSO READ: Why rise in teenage pregnancies has persisted She argued that fast-tracking these cases would serve as a deterrent, making perpetrators aware that justice would be swift. Diverging opinions on the proposal While some stakeholders support the creation of a Special Court Chamber, others believe strengthening the existing legal system is a better approach. Innocent Muramira, a lawyer, welcomed the proposal, stating, “It is a good initiative to fast-track justice for victims. However, capacity building is crucial to ensure professionalism, confidentiality, and proper handling of cases.” ALSO READ: Battle taken to schools as govt records 22,000 teen pregnancies Evariste Murwanashyaka, Child Protection and Promotion Manager at the umbrella body of Human Rights Organizations in Rwanda (CLADHO), opposed the idea, arguing for enhancements to the current system instead. “Rwanda already has a special chamber for children. Instead of creating another one, we should increase the number of judges and lawyers to ensure cases are properly handled,” he said. Murwanashyaka also stressed the need to improve case reporting and intervention models, as only a small percentage of cases reach the courts. A 2023-2024 National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) study found that out of 520 adolescents who experienced gender-based violence, only 194 (31%) sought legal assistance, while 69% did not report their abusers. ALSO READ: Teenage pregnancy: Time to openly discuss alternative solutions “The government must allocate a budget at the district level to address teen pregnancy issues. Prevention should be prioritised to curb the rising numbers,” Murwanashyaka added. MP Alphonsine Mukamana backed the idea of appointing a dedicated judge rather than establishing an entire court chamber. “Representatives from non-governmental organisations have expressed a desire for a dedicated judge to handle these cases swiftly and encourage victims to report their cases,” she said. As the debate continues, stakeholders must weigh the benefits of a Special Court Chamber against the need to strengthen existing legal structures to ensure justice for child defilement victims.
