The reproductive system is an essential component of a human body because it makes it possible for people to have children. That is why it’s important to protect it. For this reason, the Government of Rwanda enacted Law N° 21/2016 of 20/05/2016 relating to Human Reproductive Health.

The purpose of the law, according to article 3, is to assure safe delivery for the mother and the newborn and care of the latter; access to family planning, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and other infections which are harmful to reproductive health, prevention of gender-based violence and care for victims thereof, among others.

Everyone, without discrimination, has the right to access reproductive health services. This is according to article 5 of the law relating to human reproductive health. And according to article 8 of the law relating to human reproductive health, every person has the right of access to education and medical services related to reproductive health.

Article 9 of the law relating human reproductive health says that it is unlawful for anyone to be subjected to any experiment or act likely to harm a person’s reproductive health.

Regarding HIV/AIDS, article 10 of the law relating to human reproductive health says that every person has the right to undergo HIV/AIDS test. This must be voluntary and the results should be secret. However, there are circumstances under which mandatory testing is required and there are times when it is not possible for a health professional to ask for permission, for example if the person is incapacitated. In that case, permission is sought from a parent, guardian or caretaker.

If a person is HIV positive, article 11 of the law relating to human reproductive health says that such a person has the right to medical services and care consistent with the disease conditions.

Article 12 of the law relating to human reproductive health stipulates the responsibilities of each person in regard to their reproductive health and that of others. This includes avoiding anything harmful to reproductive health, taking care of a pregnant woman, a new mother, and protecting the reproductive health of those who can’t make their own decisions. Such people include the elderly and the disabled.

Additionally, article 13 says that every person should protect him/herself and others against sexually transmitted diseases. However, this ought not to result in discrimination or stigmatization against a person infected with HIV/AIDS.

Children have the right to information about human reproductive health. According to article 14 of the law relating to human reproductive health, parents or guardians have a duty to provide the information. Article 19 of the law relating to human reproductive health says that at school, the educational curricula must provide courses on human reproductive health.