Rwanda plans legislation that would limit couples to no more than three children

Rwandan lawmakers are drafting legislation that would limit couples to no more than three children to control the country's population growth and prevent poverty levels from increasing, Francois Sekamondo of Rwanda's Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said on Wednesday, Reuters South Africa reports.

According to Reuters South Africa, no punitive measures have been suggested for exceeding three children, but incentives would be given to couples who comply (Reuters South Africa, 2/15).

The country's population has quadrupled during the last 50 years.

Rwanda has about 8.8 million people, and Rwandan women have an average of 6.1 children.

If fertility rates are not slowed, the population will double by 2030 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/12).

According to Reuters South Africa, Rwanda's population is increasing by about 3% annually, and 72% of the population is not in the workforce.

"This constant population rise is putting a lot of pressure on the economy since resources have to be thinly spread to cater for the year-in-year-out increment," Sekamondo said (Reuters South Africa, 2/15).

Rwandan officials last week announced plans to unveil a campaign promoting contraception and family planning.

According to officials who are designing the plan, it would include a requirement that everyone who visits a hospital or health center for any reason be counseled on family planning.

Women of child-bearing age would be offered free contraception -- including Norplant II, a small silicone pin that is inserted beneath the skin and that is effective for up to five years -- at no cost and all schools would offer comprehensive sex education courses (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/12).

About 10% of the population uses government family planning services, but the government aims to have 70% of the population using the services within five years, Sekamondo said (Reuters South Africa, 2/15).