On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Réseau des Femmes organization held discussions with various authorities in Gasabo District on the new law governing health services in Rwanda, as well as the Ministerial Order determining conditions to be satisfied for a medical doctor to perform an abortion.
The participants included representatives of women (NWC), Youth representatives (NYC), Social affairs, and education officers from all 15 sectors of Gasabo District.
The main focus was the change in the age of consent for accessing healthcare services, which is now 15 years and above, down from 18 years, as stipulated by Law No. 026/2025 of September 17, 2025, regulating healthcare services in Rwanda.
The second focus was on changes to accessing safe abortion, as the law was revised to allow these services to be provided at the health centre level, as stipulated by Ministerial order n° 002/moh/2024 of 29/11/2024 amending ministerial order n° 002/moh/2019 of 08/04/2019 determining conditions to be satisfied for a medical doctor to perform an abortion.
Before the revision of the ministerial order, safe abortion was only allowed to be performed in hospitals and polyclinics.
Réseau des Femmes organization say that they have conducted advocacy at different occasions, including engagements with the Parliament of Rwanda and various ministries, leading to amendments of certain provisions in line with their recommendations. However, it was necessary to discuss them with local authorities so that the information could reach the citizens.
“They meet with many people, and this law needs to be widely known. It is therefore a good opportunity to first introduce the law, discuss it so that they understand it well, and can in turn explain it to others once they, themselves are well informed.” Said Annonciata Mukayitete, the Legal Representative of Réseau des Femmes
Participants interviewed by BUZIMA insure that they gained knowledge, which they will also share with those under their responsibility.
“We did not know this law existed because it is new.” Said Seth Ntihanabayo, Youth Coordinator in Kacyiru Sector.
Seth says that among the youth under his responsibility, some were getting pregnant and could undergo unsafe and illegal abortions, despite being eligible to access these services legally.
After getting informed, he said, ‘We are now going around informing them that if they face such a situation, they can go to the nearest hospital for a help.’
Mukarusanga Consolée, a women’s representative in Kimihururu Sector, also emphasized that they have gained knowledge which they will share with those they lead.
‘We were aware of the law but did not fully understand it. Now we have the tools to educate those we represent.” She said
The advocacy that Réseau des Femmes has carried out across various sectors, along with the awareness campaigns they continue to run, are part of their five-year project on sexual and reproductive health (Projet SDSR-Rwanda), implemented in all 15 sectors of Gasabo District, in partnership with the Canadian organization l’AMIE, with support from Global Affairs Canada.
