Transforming abortion stigma in Nepal: One provider’s story

MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2024

Amid the towering Himalayas in Nepal, attitudes about abortion have been changing. In 2002, abortion went from being criminalized to being legal for any reason up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Since then, access has only expanded.

Dr. Deeb Shrestha Dango, a dedicated OB-GYN and head of health systems and policy for Ipas Nepal, has stood at the forefront of this transformation. Navigating a shifting landscape of abortion rights and stigma, she has fought to expand abortion access in Nepal for over twenty years.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/transforming-abortion-stigma-in-nepal-one-providers-story/


Nepal – Call to provide reproductive rights services to women

By Himalayan News Service
Mar 06, 2022

Women rights activists have said that Nepal
needs to invest adequate resources to provide safe abortion services and other
reproductive rights services to women.

Addressing a programme 'F for Feminism' organised by Forum for Women, Law and
Development, Deputy Country Director of Ipas Nepal Jagadishwar Ghimire said it
was bizarre that even 20 years after safe abortion was legalised by the
country, 58 per cent women were undergoing unsafe abortion. "This means
that Nepal needs to overcome many challenges to enable women to enjoy their
reproductive rights guaranteed by the constitution,"

Continued: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/call-to-provide-reproductive-rights-services-to-women


Keeping women’s health essential despite Covid-19 shortages

Keeping women's health essential despite Covid-19 shortages

Opinion by Anu Kumar
Thu May 7, 2020
(Video: Fear, panic as women navigate pregnancy during a pandemic, 02:59)

(CNN)The world is changing daily as a result of Covid-19. Like millions of people, I now have a virtual workday. I am fortunate -- I'm safe and comfortable at home with my family in North Carolina.

Although living socially distanced and not knowing when life will return to normal is a struggle, I am comforted by the knowledge of the frontline workers I work with around the world working to alleviate some of the harm being inflicted on those living in dense and underserved communities.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/06/opinions/covid-19-womens-health-abortion-access-kumar/


Why universal health coverage must include abortion

Why universal health coverage must include abortion

Friday, January 24, 2020
Ipas

Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right. That’s why efforts to advance universal health coverage (UHC)—an international effort to guarantee that all people, regardless of where they live, have access to essential, quality health services without financial hardship—must include strong language defining sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion care, as an integral part of health and well-being. Ipas is committed to working with the World Health Organization, governments and other partners to attain the Sustainable Development Goal targets, which include achieving UHC.

“The world still has far to go to achieve gender equality,” said Ipas Senior Technical Manager for Community Engagement Tanvi Monga in a recent opinion for Global Health Now. “Women shoulder the burden of child care, elder care, household care, family health and health-care costs—and for poor or near-poor women anywhere in the world, health-care costs can cause irrevocable financial strain.” Plus, health-care services labeled as “for women” are frequently separated from other services—and are harder to access or more expensive.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/2020/January/why-universal-health-coverage-must-include-abortion


Nepal – Unsafe abortion continues unabated

Unsafe abortion continues unabated

Published: January 05, 2020
Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Abortion has been legalised in Nepal since March 2002 and in normal cases, abortion up to 12 weeks’ gestation, with the consent of pregnant women, is allowed. In special cases, it is allowed up to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

However, abortion is still considered a stigma in Nepali society. Of those women undergoing abortion, 58 per cent chose unsafe procedure, according to data published by various organisations working in the reproductive health rights sector.

Continued: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/unsafe-abortion-continues-unabated/


Nepal – Unsafe abortion puts women’s lives at risk in Ilam

Unsafe abortion puts women’s lives at risk in Ilam

- BIPLAV BHATTARAI, ILAM
May 7, 2019

Although 21 health facilities including the district hospital in Ilam have been providing safe abortion services free of cost, many women are still risking their lives opting for unsafe abortion procedures in Ilam Municipality.

According to the data of the district hospital, 32 women who had underwent unsafe abortion arrived at the hospital for treatment in the first six months of the running fiscal year. Lack of awareness on safe abortion services and policies among women in the municipality has led to many opting for unsafe abortions.

Continued: https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2019-05-07/unsafe-abortion-puts-womens-lives-at-risk-in-ilam.html