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By Annonciata Byukusenge
The Government of Rwanda has announced that it will soon begin testing the DNA of unborn children as part of routine examinations for pregnant women. The program is set to launch in 2026 and aims to strengthen efforts against sexual violence while speeding up justice for survivors.
How the Program Will Work
DNA tests will be conducted when a pregnancy is between six and eight weeks old, without requiring surgery or procedures that could put the mother or child at risk.
According to the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI), the process will use Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. Blood samples will be taken from the mother, while saliva or blood samples will be collected from the alleged father. By comparing the child’s genetic material already present in the mother’s blood with the man’s sample, experts can determine whether he is the biological father.
Dr. Charles Karangwa, Director General of RFI, explained that this approach will help investigators establish paternity much earlier. “This will allow justice officials to quickly determine the relationship between a suspect in a sexual violence case and an unborn child,” he said.
Funding and Legal Framework
The government has committed to covering the costs of DNA tests required in criminal cases, with expenses paid through the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). However, private requests for DNA testing, such as those made voluntarily outside of criminal proceedings, will be paid for by individuals.
Although a national law regulating DNA testing is still pending approval in Parliament, temporary quality-control guidelines will govern how samples are collected, stored, and used in court.
Teenage Pregnancies on the Rise
Statistics from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) highlight the urgency of the program.
-In 2024, there were 22,454 teenage pregnancies, up from 22,055 in 2023.
-In 2023 alone:
. 16,650 cases involved girls aged 18–19
. 5,354 involved girls aged 14–17
. 51 involved girls under 14
Sexual Violence and Justice Gaps
During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, prosecutors received 3,625 sexual violence cases. Of these, only 1,613 went to court. The courts issued 1,711 convictions, while 911 suspects were acquitted.
The Eastern Province illustrates the gap between reported crimes and justice served. In 2023, the region recorded 8,801 teenage pregnancies, but by mid-2024, only 70 suspects had been prosecuted.
A 2020 study by the Legal Aid Forum and AJPRODHO–JIJUKIRWA revealed that just 15% of sexual violence cases in Rwanda ever reach court, underscoring the systemic challenges survivors face.
Why It Matters
By introducing prenatal DNA testing, Rwanda hopes to give survivors of sexual violence access to justice sooner, reduce case backlogs, and provide stronger evidence in court. For many, the initiative represents a critical step toward protecting vulnerable girls and holding perpetrators accountable.
