Important considerations for testing the DNA of teenage girls who have been pregnant for six weeks

In this initiative, a method known as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) will be utilized. Blood samples from pregnant women will be collected, as well as cheek swab samples from men suspected of being the father. This will allow for the analysis of DNA from both the pregnant woman and the man suspected of causing the pregnancy, determining whether he is the father or not. This approach differs from the traditional method, which previously required waiting until 12 weeks of pregnancy to either terminate the pregnancy (if authorized by the relevant authorities) or wait until the child is born to test the genetic markers of the newborn to identify the biological father. This new method will help reduce the issue of children conceived through assault not receiving justice. In 2024, 22,454 children born from such pregnancies were recorded, up from 22,055 in 2023, with the majority being under 17 years of age.The statistics from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion for 2023 show that 16,650 parents were between 18 and 19 years old, 5,354 were between 14 and 17 years old, while 51 were under 14 years old. However, despite these numbers, those involved are not punished. In 2023/2024, the prosecution collected over 3,625 allegations, of which 1,613 cases were brought to court. Among those taken to court, 1,711 were convicted of crimes, while 911 were acquitted.

Read another atricle here:

• African arts and crafts
• Which things are most destroy your teeth healthy
• Functions of Water in the Human Body
• How to have a good relationship with your parents

In the Eastern Province, 8,801 children became pregnant in 2023, but out of those involved, only 70 had been apprehended by mid-2024. The number of children becoming pregnant continues to rise, yet very few of those responsible are punished, which led to the introduction of this new approach, as highlighted by RFI Director, Dr. Charles Karangwa. In an interview with The New Times, Dr. Karangwa outlined key considerations, including how this initiative will be implemented, who will bear the costs, among other details. 

Dr. Karangwa said that these tests can indicate the father of a child at an early stage, even before the child is born, without affecting the mother or the unborn child. They will help investigators quickly determine whether a person is the father or not, thereby speeding up investigations and the delivery of justice. Regarding who will pay for the costs, it is planned that the Government of Rwanda will cover tests conducted to identify the perpetrator of a crime. These tests will be conducted through the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). However, for tests done voluntarily, the person requesting the services will bear the cost. These tests are governed by the Rwandan Penal Code on the crime of child defilement and the 2023 Presidential Order establishing the RFI. Rwanda currently does not have a specific law related to DNA. However, such a law is expected to be approved by the Parliament. RFI indicates that the laws governing the procedures for following the required regulations regarding the collection of forensic evidence, the preservation of forensic evidence from the point of collection to the court, and the laws permitting evidence in court, will continue to be enforced.