Rwanda

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

12.3 million

World Bank, 2018

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

N/A

Though Rwanda does not have any openly discriminatory laws towards SGM populations, the absence of protective legislation leaves many in a precarious place, susceptible to harassment, discrimination and even physical violence. This, coupled with Rwanda’s 65% Roman Catholic population (African Studies Center) makes research in the country extremely difficult. That said, organizations like the Horizon Community Association of Rwanda (HOCA) work to advocate for LGBT+ citizens, including speaking out about the debated implementation of a new penal code.

Rwanda's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
No
Civil Unions
No
Joint Adoption
No
Second Parent Adoption
No
PROTECTION
Employment Nondiscrimination Laws
No
Broad Protections
No
Criminalization of Violence
No
Ban of Conversion Therapy
No
CRIMINALIZATION
Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?
Yes
Gender
Does Not Apply
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)
Does Not Apply

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Adedimeji, A., Sinayobye, J. D. A., Asiimwe-Kateera, B., Chaudhry, J., Buzinge, L., Gitembagara, A., ... & Mutesa, L. (2019). Social contexts as mediator of risk behaviors in Rwandan men who have sex with men (MSM): Implications for HIV and STI transmission. PloS one, 14(1), e0211099. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211099

Ammon, R. (2005) Gay Rwanda 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20090609001143/http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Rwanda/view/RWA/gay-rwanda-2005

Anthony, C. (2019). 'Finding Peace In A World Where You Mean Nothing': The Implications Of'One Rwanda'On Rwandan LGBTI And Twa Minorities. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/undergradawards_2019/3/

Haste, P., & Gatete, T. K. (2015). Sexuality, Poverty and Politics in Rwanda (No. IDS Evidence Report; 131). IDS. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/6062

Iradukunda, I., & Odoyo, R. (2016). AGACIRO: A Landscape Analysis of the Rights of Sex Workers and LGBT Communities in Rwanda. UHAI EASHRI. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Rwanda-Baseline_ENG.pdf

Moreland, P., White, R., Riggle, E. D. B., Gishoma, D., &Hughes, T. L. (2019). Experiences of minority stress among lesbian and bisexual women in Rwanda. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 8(4), 196–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/ipp0000114

Shipow, A. (2017). “I Have a Value”: Using Photovoice to Inform Mental Health Care and Champion Access with Rwandan’s LGBT Population. https://doi.org/10.17615/bf3a-k104

Thoreson, R. (2018). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) Rights and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. https://oxfordre.com/politics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-242