Rwanda National Police

A 23-year old girl in Nyarugenge District has been arrested in connection with self-induced abortion, terminating a six month fetus.

Lusie Niyonsenga, a mother of a two-year old child, was arrested on June 26 in Kimisagara Sector following information provided by area residents.

Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, Police spokesperson for the central region said the inhuman incident came to light when one of the suspect's relatives found her bleeding only to discover the fetus later behind the house in Tabaro Cell.

She is currently detained at Nyamirambo Police Station as investigations continue.

Supt. Mbabazi spared a message to women to instead "plan when to have a child instead of resorting to terminating and punishing the unborn baby, which is a criminal and punishable act."

Self- induced abortion, under article 162 of the penal code carries a penalty of one to three years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf200, 000.

Causing a woman to abort without her consent, under the new law, also attracts an imprisonment term of 10 to 15 years. In case of mutual consent, however, a person who causes a woman to abort shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two years to five years.

A person who administers, delivers or orders a substance to a woman and causes abortion which results into death shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 15 to 20 years if the woman had consented to the abortion; and to life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf200, 000 to Rwf2 million, if such a woman had not consented to the abortion.

In Rwanda, abortion is allowed on only four grounds under article 165 of the penal code; when the pregnancy can endanger the life of the mother; when she conceived out of rape; when the unborn child’s father is a family member or relative and the abnormality of the unborn child.