Rwanda legalizes surrogacy and teen access to contraceptives

In a move set to reshape Rwanda’s reproductive landscape, lawmakers have approved a bold new law that touches the core of family, fertility, and youth health.
From granting legal ground to surrogacy and IVF to giving adolescents aged 15 and above the right to access contraceptives, the country signals a progressive turn in public health and gender policy.

In a landmark move marking a significant shift in Rwanda’s reproductive health policy, Members of Parliament have passed a progressive law that legalizes surrogacy and grants access to family planning services for adolescents aged 15 and above. The law, part of the revised framework on reproductive health, also recognizes the right to access assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

This decision follows two years of debate and delay. In 2023, the same bill was brought before Parliament but was rejected by lawmakers who cited the need for more consultations and international benchmarking. Several MPs told Family Magazine at the time that Rwanda needed to understand how other countries had handled similar legislation before moving forward.

During Monday’s session, 56 MPs voted in favor of the law, 13 voted against it, and four abstained. Lawmakers who supported the bill emphasized its potential to uphold reproductive rights, reduce unsafe abortions, and provide solutions to infertility, issues that disproportionately affect women and girls.

Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, who presented the bill, clarified that the aim is not to encourage sexual activity among minors but to protect adolescents from the harmful consequences of unprotected sex, such as early pregnancies and unsafe abortions. “We are guided by health data and the reality on the ground,” he noted.

The law stipulates that surrogacy will be strictly regulated under Rwanda’s legal system. Surrogacy arrangements will require prior authorization and will be monitored to ensure the protection of both the surrogate mother and the intended parents. This marks a new chapter for many families dealing with infertility, especially women who cannot safely carry a pregnancy.

Equally significant is the legalization of assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, which until now had no legal backing in Rwanda. With the new law, individuals and couples now have the right to seek fertility treatments within a legally recognized and protected system.

The most debated aspect of the law, the provision of contraceptives to adolescents from the age of 15,drew mixed reactions. Opponents argued that it could promote early sexual activity, while proponents insisted it was a critical step toward preventing unwanted pregnancies and promoting reproductive autonomy.

Despite lingering public debate, women’s rights advocates and public health experts have hailed the law as a long-overdue breakthrough in advancing gender equality and reproductive justice in Rwanda. “This is more than a health issue, it’s about human dignity, informed choice, and access,” one gender activist told Family Magazine.

The Ministry of Health plans to roll out a nationwide public awareness campaign to ensure that citizens understand the law’s implications and to support its effective implementation.

As Rwanda continues to position itself as a regional leader in gender equity and inclusive health reforms, this new law sets a bold precedent, acknowledging diverse family needs while empowering young people to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.

@editorial