Country Comments

Population growth combined with economic growth are acting as a twofold blow to Rwanda’s natural resources, most notably on the country’s waters, forests, lands and biodiversity. Fertility rates have come down significantly from 8 children per woman in the 1980s to almost 4 today. This still very high rate is adding over 300,000 more citizens annually to an already bloated population of roughly twice what the country can support sustainably.

The country recognizing this dilemma has prioritized family planning leading to a much greater adoption rate of contraception over the past decade. Rwanda is 50% Catholic and for many citizens the only option for health care are their health centers (1/3 of all hospitals and health centers are Catholic) . Catholic church forbids birth control but the church recognizes the practicality of the need in limiting childbirth and protecting against HIV and many small govt health outposts have sprouted nearby Catholic health centers as symbiotic appendages for these family planning and reproductive health needs.

Over two decades past since its horrific genocidal events, Rwanda today is not only one of the freest and fairest governments but also the most diverse in the region. In fact, women make up a majority of the legislature in Rwanda with 49 out of 80 seats in the lower house and 10 of 26 in the upper house. (1)

(1) https://borgenproject.org/seven-facts-about-human-rights-in-rwanda/