The Non-Legal Barriers Experienced Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Selected Districts of Rwanda Seeking Safe Abortion Services

Background: Despite the legalization of abortion in different sub-Saharan countries, adolescent girls and young women still face barriers while seeking safe abortion services, and Rwanda’s adolescent girls and young women are no exception. The present study aims to explore the non-legal barriers and lived experiences of adolescent girls and young women who sought safe abortion services in selected districts in Rwanda. Methods: Twenty-four In-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted with adolescent girls and young women who had sought safe abortion services in different healthcare facilities in Rwanda, and with other stakeholders. Recruitment of participants was aided by the sexual reproductive health officer at each healthcare facility. Data analysis followed a thematic analysis approach. Results: The non-legal barriers were mainly the unavailability of safe abortion services, perceived lack of awareness, misinformation about these services, the cost, stigma, and perceived negative influence from parents and peers. Conclusion: The study was the first one to explore specific non-legal barriers to accessing safe abortion in Rwanda. Study findings indicate that although safe abortion services were made legal under certain circumstances in Rwanda, adolescent girls and young women still face several barriers that hinder them from accessing these services. This shapes their lived experience negatively while seeking these services. The findings can be used by civil societies to redirect their interventions in easing the accessibility of safe abortion services and by policymakers to redesign policies that can be put in practice to ensure improvement of the services given for the progressive development of reproductive health among adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda. Keywords: abortion, females, female adolescents, life experiences, lived experiences, non-legal barriers, reproductive health services, rwanda, youth