An analysis of coverage of the decriminalization of abortion for minors on non-state radio stations in Rwanda.

Abstract

With its focus on radio stations’ coverage of the revised law expanding access to abortion for women and girls under certain circumstances in Rwanda, this thesis explores the role of the media in communicating about this seemingly controversial issue, in a context with a high rate of early unintended pregnancies. Early and unintended pregnancies are recognised as a concerning phenomenon, resulting in serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of girls and young women (Choonara et al., 2014). Further, unintended pregnancies are often linked to an increased risk of unsafe abortions (Mohamed et al., 2023). Adolescent pregnancy rates in the East and Southern Africa region are estimated at twice the global average, with 92 births per 1000 girls (UNFPA, 2021). It is in this context that Rwanda revised its penal code in 2018 to expand access to safe abortion services for girls under the age of 18, and women under certain circumstances. While the amended law may be driven from a concern about protecting children rather than advancing Sexual And Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), abortion is among the recognised SRHR services, and respecting women’s rights to safe abortion and their SRHR is linked to respecting women’s right to life (African Union, 2003; Durojaye, Mirugi-Mukundi, and Ngwena, 2021; Starrs et al., 2018; WHO, 2022). Research indicates that there are significant gaps in protecting and respecting SRHR in Africa, specifically in sub-Saharan countries (Durojaye et al., 2021; Poku, 2020; Starrs et al., 2018). This may be a result of restrictive laws and policies as well as prevailing religious, cultural beliefs and attitudes related to SRHR. The media has a key role to play in shaping public discourse and impacts attitudes toward SRHR and abortion access as a health service and a right (Fraile and Hernández, 2024). Recognising the role that radio plays in Rwanda as a trusted source of information (Nduhura and Prieler, 2017), in this study I analysed 36 broadcasts collected from eight non-state radio stations, which covered the legal reform of 2018 expanding access to abortion for minors in Rwanda. I also analysed eight in-depth interviews with key informants from these radio stations. Through Harbemas’ (1989) theory of the public sphere and Cohen’s (1972) moral panics theory, qualitative content analysis (QCA) (Schreier, 2014) showed that the selected radio stations served as an inclusive public sphere where citizens held honest and, in some instances, reasoned discussions about issues of concern such as the legal provision of abortion for minors in Rwanda. However, it also showed that some more powerful members of the society, predominantly religious leaders, men and parents, expressed themselves opposing the legal reform, where the radio coverage aligned with moral panics. The data also showed that the legal reform was challenged because of prevailing socio-cultural and religious beliefs that oppose abortion, with some citizens considering the law as encouraging immorality, particularly for girls. The analysis showed that gender inequality and discrimination against girls and women play a role in challenging the implementation of the law allowing abortion for minors and the realisation of SRHR. The analysis of the coverage of this issue shows the role of radio stations and the media in general in offering opportunities to citizens to realise their right to expression regarding issues of concern affecting society.