The legislation, comprising 111 articles, was passed on August 4, 2025, following a thorough article-by-article review that lasted several hours. According to the Chamber's Committee on Social Affairs, which scrutinised the draft, 20 articles were added for clarity while 29 were removed.
Committee chairperson Uwamariya Veneranda noted that one of the most debated provisions concerns assisted reproduction, which will be available to married couples where a qualified medical professional confirms that natural conception is not possible.
Lawmakers also agreed to lower the minimum age for independent consent to some healthcare services from 18 to 15. MP Izere Ingrid Marie Parfaite supported the move but stressed the need for education and preventive measures, including condom distribution.
'Why don't we put more effort into giving them condoms, which can also prevent diseases such as HIV?' she said.
Several MPs proposed that parents be informed when minors seek certain services, including family planning.
The law also permits the preservation of gametes and embryos for future reproductive use, as well as surrogacy for individuals with medically confirmed infertility, in line with legal and regulatory requirements.
State Minister for Health Dr. Yvan Butera clarified that the provisions do not grant unrestricted access to all family planning services for 15-year-olds.
'The services for adolescents will be clearly defined in the regulations. For instance, permanent sterilisation will not be allowed,' he said.
The bill was first tabled before Parliament on November 5, 2024, before undergoing review by the Committee on Social Affairs.
IGIHE
