Year: 2025 (ongoing)
Supported by: IYAFP (The International Youth Alliance for Family Planning)
Major Component: Safe Abortion
Introduction
Abortion is the medical or surgical termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently outside the mother’s womb. It can occur spontaneously, referred to as a miscarriage, or be induced intentionally. The reasons for seeking an abortion can vary, encompassing personal, socioeconomic, medical, or ethical factors.
As of 2023, the situation surrounding abortion in Nepal has seen significant changes and developments over the years. Abortion was legalized in Nepal in 2002 under certain conditions, which marked a progressive step in women’s reproductive rights. The law permitted abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy upon a woman’s request, up to 18 weeks abortion is allowed in cases of rape or incest, and after 18 weeks, it may be performed for specific medical reasons. Despite the legalization, access to safe abortion services remains a challenge in Nepal due to social stigma, lack of awareness, limited availability of trained healthcare providers, and geographical barriers, especially in rural areas. Cultural and societal norms often discourage open discussions about reproductive health, leading to widespread misinformation about safe abortion methods and consequences. Unsafe abortions are a significant public health issue in Nepal. Women who cannot access safe services may resort to unsafe methods, leading to complications that can be life-threatening.
In this project, we will increase access to safe abortion in Konjyosom Rural Municipality through a multi-step approach. We will start by training Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), who will then lead community awareness sessions with Mothers’ Groups. To shape supportive local policy, we will conduct research with stakeholders and develop a policy brief. Finally, we will run a digital campaign with engaging content and a social media contest to educate and empower young people, dispelling myths and fostering informed dialogue.
Major activity
- Activity 1: Inception meeting with local government:
An inception meeting was conducted with the local stakeholders of Konjyosom Rural Municipality, Lalitpur. The main objective of this meeting was to share the goals and objectives of the project. The meeting involved the participation of the chairperson, deputy chairperson, section chief of concerned sections, safe abortion service providers, and other concerned stakeholders.
- Activity 2: Orientation on Safe Abortion to Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs)
Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) play an essential role in connecting the formal health system within the community. As trusted members of their communities, they are often the first point of contact for health information and support, especially when it comes to maternal and reproductive health. Because of their close relationships and understanding of local needs, FCHVs are uniquely positioned to share accurate and reliable information.
In this activity, we provided a day orientation on safe abortion to the Female Community Health Providers (FCHVs). The orientation was provided in three batches. The key topics included the legal provisions, safe abortion service centers, myths and facts, value clarifications, confidentiality, non-discriminatory care and others. The orientation was facilitated by volunteers from Visible Impact who have received training on safe abortion. Knowledge assessments was also administered before and after the orientation to measure change in knowledge and attitudes, allowing for evidence-based evaluation of the program’s effectiveness.
- Activity 3: FCHV’s Led Safe Abortion Sensitization to the Mother’s Group
Upon completion of their orientation, Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) facilitated sensitization sessions on safe abortion with local Mothers’ Groups (Ama Samuha). To ensure the contents are accurate, culturally sensitive, and legally appropriate, IEC materials was provided to both the FCHVs and Mother’s groups. These sessions was embedded within the groups’ regular meetings. The primary objective of these interactions is to encourage informed reproductive health choices, foster open and stigma-free dialogue, and promote community support for women seeking safe abortion services.
