Abortion law in Nepal
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
3 likes•1,173 views
Nepal legalized abortion in 2002 and further expanded access through its 2018 law. The law allows abortion up to 12 weeks with consent, up to 28 weeks in cases of rape/incest or health risks, and the government aims to make safe abortion services widely available. However, challenges remain due to stigma and some sex-selective abortions. National policies focus on training health workers and expanding comprehensive abortion care, including counseling, at health facilities across the country.
Report
Share
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Similar to Abortion law in Nepal
Similar to Abortion law in Nepal (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Abortion law in Nepal
- 1. Abortion Law in Nepal By Rashmi Luintel BN,BA,MPH Lecturer National Open College Pokhara University
- 2. What is safe abortion • Abortions are safe when they are carried out with a method that is recommended by WHO and that is appropriate to the pregnancy duration, and when the person carrying out the abortion has the necessary skills.
- 3. Abortion Law in Nepal • Prior to 2002, Nepal had strict anti-abortion law which ensured not only the imprisonment of the pregnant women who seek abortion but also their family members. • Nepal Government legalized abortion in March 2002, under the 11th Amendment of Muluki Ain. • Just recently in 2018, the existing SAS (Safe Abortion Service) implementation guidelines have been revised to incorporate the free safe abortion policy and address barriers in the program. • Listed medical practitioners will provide comprehensive abortion care services.
- 4. The Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act, 2075 (2018); Chapter-4 Safe Abortion • To perform safe abortion: A pregnant woman shall have the right to get safe abortion performed in any of the following circumstances: a) Gestation up to 12 weeks, with the consent of the pregnant woman. b) Foetus (gestation) up to twenty-eight weeks with the consent of the woman who is suffering from H.I.V. or other incurable disease of such nature.
- 5. Cont… c) Gestation remained due to rape or incest up to 28 weeks with the consent of the pregnant woman. d) Gestation up to 28 weeks, as per the consent of such woman, after the opinion of the licensed doctor that there may be danger upon the life of the pregnant woman or defects occurred in the foetus or that there is such defect in the foetus of the womb that it cannot live even after the birth,
- 6. • No one shall get the abortion conducted by forcing a pregnant woman, threatening, enticing or tempting her. • The licensed health worker who has fulfilled the prescribed standards and qualification shall have to provide the pregnant woman with safe abortion service in the licensed health institution.
- 7. • No one shall commit or cause to be committed an act to identify the sex of the foetus in the womb. • A pregnant woman shall not be pressurized or compelled or intimidated or coerced or enticed or entrapped in undue influence to identify the sex of the foetus. • The licensed health institution or licensed health worker shall have to keep confidential all records, information, documents related to reproductive health of the pregnant woman and counseling and service provided to her.
- 8. • The licensed health institution or licensed health worker shall have to keep confidential all records, information, documents related to reproductive health of the pregnant woman and counseling and service provided to her. • The records relating to such information, document and counseling service may be made available on the following conditions: 1. If information is demanded by the investigation authority or court in course of investigation and hearing of any lawsuit, 2. If it is required to quote without revealing identity of the related woman for the purpose of study, research or monitoring relating to safe abortion 3. If the woman concerned demands herself the records.
- 9. National Safe Abortion Policy 2003
- 10. Comprehensive Abortion Care • Pre & post counselling on abortion method s and as well on contraceptive methods • ii) Termination of pregnancy as per national protocol • iii) Diagnosis and treatment of existing RTIs and • iv) Provide contraceptive methods as per informed choice and follow up for post abortion complication management
- 11. Human Resource Development • Human resource required will be identified , orientation and competency-based skill training will be conducted. • CAC curriculum for different levels of health services providers will be incorporated into training programs. • Prevention of unsafe abortion shall be incorporated. • Public , private and NGO institutions will be developed as training sites.
- 12. Rights of Women • Women have the right to continue or discontinue an unwanted pregnancy. • Informed consent of the women and the nearest relative is required for the pregnancy termination service. • Women must be informed about the risk, benefits and alternatives to pregnancy termination and counselled on other reproductive health needs including FP.
- 13. Role of NGO and Private Sectors • CAC will be made available through different sectors. • Private, semi-governmental and non- governmental sectors are encouraged to provide CAC services in underserved areas. • The private and non-governmental sectors will be encouraged to contribute to abortion information including information on training, research and IEC/ advocacy.
- 14. Advocacy, IEC and Social Mobilisation • Advocacy, IEC and social mobilization on the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and dangers of unsafe abortion. • Advocacy to address stigmatization and misconceptions. • Advocacy to promote women’s right to CAC. • All available media will be used to raise awareness on the new abortion policy, emergency contraception, Information on CAC services .
- 15. Coordination, Planning, Monitoring, Supervision and Follow-up • Coordinating CAC trainings and services in Nepal. • Planning, monitoring, supervision and follow-up of CAC services at all levels in public sectors. • Information of CAC will be integrated into existing HMIS. • District Health Management team will be oriented to the management aspects of CAC services. • External and internal resources will be mobilised.
- 16. Research • Abortion related research will be conducted. • Research results and recommendations will be used to improve the policy and program management practices.
- 17. Institutional Arrangements • Developed and strengthen for CAC services including planning, follow-up and networking in accordance with Safe Abortion Policy.
- 18. Safe abortion strategies Abortion was legalized in 2002 A.D. 2009, comprehensive abortion care services were expanded to district hospitals and primary health care centers all over the country. In 2009, abortion service provision was limited to physicians and staff nurses using manual vacuum aspiration. curriculum development and training center preparation A comprehensive training and support
- 19. Continued.. • After pilot study in 2009 the government of Nepal committed to expanding comprehensive abortion care availability at health posts and sub–health posts by training auxiliary nurse‐midwives (ANMs) already certified as skilled birth attendants in provision of medical abortion. In Nepal, ANM education comprises either • policy change.
- 20. Challenges of liberal abortion • Sex selective abortion Sex-selective abortion is the practice of terminating a pregnancy based upon the predicted sex of the infant. The selective abortion of female fetus is most common in areas where cultural norms value male children over female children.
- 21. Continued.. • Even though the new abortion law legalized the abortion under specified conditions, the ingrained fear and stigma still prevails in the society and many women are still terminating pregnancy by unskilled persons to maintain privacy and secrecy.
- 22. References • D C Dutta’s textbook of Obstetrics, 7th edition. • National Safe Abortion Policy, 2003 A D. • Safe abortion service process 2060 B.S. • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact- sheets/detail/abortion. • https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10 665/338768/factsheet-nepal- eng.pdf?sequence=9&isAllowed=y