NEPAL – Need for full decriminalisation of abortion stressed

Tue, 2 June 2026
TRN Online

Rights activists and lawmakers have stressed the need for the full decriminalisation of abortion, arguing that women and girls across the country continue to suffer due to legal restrictions and gaps in implementation.

Speaking at an interaction programme jointly organised by the Family Welfare Division, Ipas, and the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), participants highlighted the challenges faced by women seeking abortion services beyond the legally permitted gestational limit.

Currently, women and girls can seek abortion services only up to 28 weeks of pregnancy under specific conditions and with the consent required by law. However, activists said many rape survivors and girls facing difficult circumstances are unable to access abortion services within the stipulated timeframe.

Continued: https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/81306

02.06.2026

Commentary

Family Welfare Division

Forum for Women Law and Development

Ipas

Nabin Kumar Shrestha

Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act

Nepal – Amendment to abortion law imperative, as 52% abortions are still unsafe

The Rising Nepal
Sat, 14 March 2026

While the Constitution guarantees safe motherhood and reproductive health as fundamental rights for women, abortion is still viewed as a crime in many places. This mindset is having a direct impact on women, and adolescent girls.

Rina Sah, 30, (name changed) from Saptari district in Madhes Province, recently went through a painful experience.

Already a mother of two, Sah had no intention of conceiving again, but she became pregnant unintentionally. She realised that she was pregnant when the pregnancy had reached around two and a half months.

Continued: https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/77102

14.03.2026

News

abortion law reform

Forum for Women Law and Development

Nabin Kumar Shrestha

Rekha Jha

Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act

Nepal – Rights activists urge full decriminalisation of abortion

By Ram Kumar Kamat
Feb 16, 2026

KATHMANDU – Shradha Adhikari, who is a nurse with Sunaulo Parivar Nepal clinic in Kathmandu that provides reproductive health services, including safe abortion, feels pride for having an opportunity to providing safe abortion services to women and girls who would otherwise have opted for unsafe practices leading to risk of her life.

She, however, lives in constant fear of facing criminal cases for providing abortion service. Some of my friends, who have provided safe abortion services, have been asked to report to police or record their statement in the court and I always fear that I might face the same situation, Adhikari added.

Continued: https://thehimalayantimes.com/ampArticle/1036749