The term ‘contraceptives’ is usually used to refer to one of the many methods of preventing pregnancy (condoms, cervical caps etc.) or the hormonal methods (IUDs, implants, injections, pills and vaginal rings). Generally, contraceptives manipulate the fertility of women. They allow them to spread their finances over fewer children, purportedly bettering their outcomes. After all, more money per child, more prosperity per child, right? Wrong.

Not long ago, as I was catching up with the world, I came across an article in The New Times, Rwanda, titled ‘15-year-olds could soon access contraceptives’. Not only did the article catch my attention, but it also afforded me the opportunity to rationalize and battle down questions that popped out of my mind while reading: What is the cause of the rampant increase of pregnancies among young girls? Are we really solving the issue? What does ‘15 years age’ mean in law, particularly in relation to adult age, 18 years? Let’s say the Bill passes, what is the aftermath? All these inquiries need deep contemplation to at least have a say on them.