Insight

Abortion: When it’s down to court order

ON June 14 last year, the Rwanda Penal Code was amended to legalise abortion under certain circumstances. The new amendment allows a woman to abort if she is a victim of incest, rape, forced marriage, or if the pregnancy is a threat to her health. However, this is only on condition that the person intending to abort submits a certificate issued by court to her doctor. But since the amendments, the penal code is fast gathering dust, over a year later no known case has been registered with courts. Tom Mulisa, a city lawyer who has dealt with abortion cases says that many people are not aware of the legal procedures regarding the abortion clause. He says no one has actually approached the courts of law for an abortion court order. 
The New Times
Doreen Umutesi