Rwanda is planning to limit couples to no more than three children because of rising poverty in Africa's most densely populated country.
Rwanda is planning to limit couples to no more than three children because of rising poverty in Africa's most densely populated country.
The country has one of the world's highest birth rates. Some are keen to have children to replace the family members lost during the 1994 genocide.
The country has one of the world's highest birth rates. Some are keen to have children to replace the family members lost during the 1994 genocide.
The government is holding discussions with church leaders - hoping to win their support for population control.
The government is holding discussions with church leaders - hoping to win their support for population control.
Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 100-day genocide.
Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 100-day genocide.
President Paul Kagame is hoping to cut the birth rate by half - the average number of children per couple is six.
President Paul Kagame is hoping to cut the birth rate by half - the average number of children per couple is six.
The country's population has quadrupled in the past 50 years and its nearly 9m people is expected to double again by 2030.
The country's population has quadrupled in the past 50 years and its nearly 9m people is expected to double again by 2030.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation says it is the first time an African government has attempted to set a limit on the size of families.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation says it is the first time an African government has attempted to set a limit on the size of families.
Influence
Influence
The BBC's Geoffrey Mutagoma in the capital, Kigali, says the growth rate of the economy does not match the alarming population growth.
The BBC's Geoffrey Mutagoma in the capital, Kigali, says the growth rate of the economy does not match the alarming population growth.
Rwanda is a small country that is already extensively cultivated and one whose soils are being heavily eroded.
Rwanda is a small country that is already extensively cultivated and one whose soils are being heavily eroded.
Because of the genocide, many people didn't want to hear about birth control MP Odette Nyiramilimo
Because of the genocide, many people didn't want to hear about birth control MP Odette Nyiramilimo
For this reason the government is now trying to sell the idea of cutting the birth rate to religious leaders.
For this reason the government is now trying to sell the idea of cutting the birth rate to religious leaders.
Our reporter says that in Rwanda, religion is part of the social and moral fabric and therefore has a strong influence on people's beliefs and practices.
Our reporter says that in Rwanda, religion is part of the social and moral fabric and therefore has a strong influence on people's beliefs and practices.
If the discussions go well, the government could quicken moves to legislation on the issue - which have previously been blocked, the New York Times reports.
If the discussions go well, the government could quicken moves to legislation on the issue - which have previously been blocked, the New York Times reports.
"Because of the genocide, many people didn't want to hear about birth control," the paper quotes MP Odette Nyiramilimo as saying.
"Because of the genocide, many people didn't want to hear about birth control," the paper quotes MP Odette Nyiramilimo as saying.
Most religious leaders have already announced that they share some of the government's concerns.
Most religious leaders have already announced that they share some of the government's concerns.
However, they remain reserved about matching population growth to the country's economy.
However, they remain reserved about matching population growth to the country's economy.
Our reporters says there is also the challenge of matching denominational beliefs with the principle of population control and how the government will apply it.
Our reporters says there is also the challenge of matching denominational beliefs with the principle of population control and how the government will apply it.
Do you think legislating on birth control is a good idea? If not, what can be done to encourage smaller families in densely populated countries? Let us know your views using the form below.
Do you think legislating on birth control is a good idea? If not, what can be done to encourage smaller families in densely populated countries? Let us know your views using the form below.
A selection of your comments will be broadcast on the BBC's Focus on Africa programme on Saturday 17 February 2007 at 1700 GMT.
In my opinion legislation in birth control is not a good means in the democratic world because it contradicts with the basic principles of human right, to have a child and a family. Since it is the base of the society, i advise those peoples to give birth in accordance to their economic status with out any restriction.kassaye muluneh aynalem, JIMMA, ETHIOPIA
i think that it's a good step my country is taking towads achiving it's oals.let me thank all the people involved in this idea for we need to real control our grwoing rates if we want to give our offsprings the best life they want.Mulindwa,
This is very good news. Rwanda should be commended for leading this pace in our beloved continent. Let us first develop our resources maximally before creating large families. Either we do this or resource constraints will do it for us. I for one believe the genocide was a consequence of resource control.Aminu Wouba, Cameroon
It's time this subject is debated everywhere. The World cannot support the ever spiralling population. I support Rwanda for leading the way.Doug Banks, Thornton, Ontario, Canada
The economy of Rwanda is too small to support such a big population, i mean there is no virgin land remaining uncultivated in the hilly tiny African nation. It's about time some one think about this idea of population growth-contral.If you doubt the truth about this please visit my home-country Rwanda.John Aguma, VAN NUYS CALIFORNIA
Limiting the number of goods as good as it sounds, it goes against African morals and culture. In Africa, we cannot afford to import western ideals and impose them to our people. Soon, the governemnts may appprove genetically modified foods so that they can feed this ever increasing population. That is not African, that is North American. Consequently, we gone be asking how we can help our obese kids, cancerous population and so on. Every time you inport an idea that isn't culturally acceptable,you create many more problems. Leave it they way it is.Teles Minega, Calgary, Canada
i think it a good idea. But you should give a reward to those who support the idea. many people will came to support idea quickly. madlazibabayo, bindura, zimbabwe
i think it a good idea. But you should give a reward to those who support the idea. many people will came to support idea quickly. madlazibabayo, bindura, zimbabwe
Any law that infringes on a persons reproductive right is wrong. Although there must be something done about rapid population growth, I am sure that taking away a civil liberty is not the answer. Education is essential to making people in Rwanda and everywhere else aware of the affects that increased population growth is having on the earth and the economy. Many people, particularly, in Africa are still grossly uneducated about safe sex and contraceptives; this is what must change. Once people are made aware they should have the freedom to live out their lives as they best see fit. Daira Raheem , Kalamazoo,MI
Any law that infringes on a persons reproductive right is wrong. Although there must be something done about rapid population growth, I am sure that taking away a civil liberty is not the answer. Education is essential to making people in Rwanda and everywhere else aware of the affects that increased population growth is having on the earth and the economy. Many people, particularly, in Africa are still grossly uneducated about safe sex and contraceptives; this is what must change. Once people are made aware they should have the freedom to live out their lives as they best see fit. Daira Raheem , Kalamazoo,MI
I think one of the good way to encourage smaller families would be to encourage the culture of adoption among Africans. Safari Radjabu, Copenhagen Denmark
I think one of the good way to encourage smaller families would be to encourage the culture of adoption among Africans. Safari Radjabu, Copenhagen Denmark
This is Africa we are talking about. Africans are proud people. Big families mean something to a lot of Africans. How dare the president try to restrict a couples' desire to procreate. Extreme poverty in Africa could have been avoided - the African leaders of yesterday, today and tomorrow know it, we all know it. This issue is more to do with trying to limit poverty which need not be necessary in this day and age. African leaders must stand up for their people and put an end to corruption and selfishness- they are leaders for a reason - the nation and the people - not themselves. Leaders need to realise they are there to lead. If a country was had a strong economy and was over populated, I could understand a move towards trying to limit the number of children a couple could have. There are underlying issues here which need to be addressed. Marie , luton
This is Africa we are talking about. Africans are proud people. Big families mean something to a lot of Africans. How dare the president try to restrict a couples' desire to procreate. Extreme poverty in Africa could have been avoided - the African leaders of yesterday, today and tomorrow know it, we all know it. This issue is more to do with trying to limit poverty which need not be necessary in this day and age. African leaders must stand up for their people and put an end to corruption and selfishness- they are leaders for a reason - the nation and the people - not themselves. Leaders need to realise they are there to lead. If a country was had a strong economy and was over populated, I could understand a move towards trying to limit the number of children a couple could have. There are underlying issues here which need to be addressed. Marie , luton
this is a good idea for the people of Rwanda and l want all the african countries to do the same especially nigeria. Sylvester Ikpotokin, Ireland
this is a good idea for the people of Rwanda and l want all the african countries to do the same especially nigeria. Sylvester Ikpotokin, Ireland
PLEASE, LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE.CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIVING NOW AFTER THE MASSACRE. BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THE GOOD LORD GIVES TO YOU.PETER KANISIUS, LONDON UK
PLEASE, LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE.CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIVING NOW AFTER THE MASSACRE. BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THE GOOD LORD GIVES TO YOU.PETER KANISIUS, LONDON UK
