Concerns over early sexual activity among minors in Rwanda have emerged after a study revealed that 51 percent of children have sexual intercourse before reaching the age of 12.
The findings were revealed on Monday, February 17, 2025, when Dr. Aline Uwimana, Division Manager of Maternal, Child and Community Health at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), appeared before the Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Rwanda during discussions on a draft healthcare services bill.
Presenting the findings to lawmakers, Dr. Uwimana said: “A study conducted in 2023 found that 51% of children in Rwanda who are aged 12 or younger have had sexual intercourse.”
She warned that such early sexual activity exposes children to serious health risks including sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies.
Dr. Uwimana told the committee that the data shows the urgent need to expand reproductive health services for adolescents. She added that about 70 percent of young people aged between 15 and 19 still lack access to family planning services, which contributes to the rising number of teenage pregnancies.
The issue was raised as lawmakers examined provisions in the proposed healthcare services bill that seeks to allow minors aged 15 and above to access certain reproductive health services.
Health officials say the debate could shape future policies aimed at addressing teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and broader adolescent health challenges in Rwanda.
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