'Safe abortion imperative to protect women’s life'
Summary
Women in Nepal continue to face legal and medical barriers to safe abortion, forcing some into unsafe procedures even in cases of rape, incest, or serious fetal abnormalities. A new bill in Parliament proposes expanding abortion access at any stage of pregnancy in limited circumstances, including threats to a woman’s life or severe fetal conditions.
Key Points
- Women in Nepal are still forced into unsafe abortions because of legal barriers, social stigma, and limited access to timely services.
- The new Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights (First Amendment) Bill seeks to allow abortion at any stage in certain cases, including fetal disability, serious risk to the woman’s life or health, and pregnancy from rape or incest involving girls under 18.
- Health experts say delays in accessing safe services can lead to severe bleeding, infection, uterine injury, and emergency hospital care.
- Rights activists argue that safe abortion is essential to protect women’s life, health, privacy, dignity, and legal rights.
