BY: AMLESH
Sita was 18 when she first wanted to learn about the contraception. It wasn’t because she planned to get married or soon have children. She was simply curious and wanted to understand her body. But in her village, talking about topics like menstruation, relationships or family planning was often met with awkward silence and judgement.
One afternoon, she gathered the courage to ask a health worker about reproductive health services. Before entering the health post, she looked around to make sure no one from her neighborhood was watching. “What if people think badly of me?” she wondered. That fear alone stopped her from seeking information.
That fear of Sita is familiar to many of young people in Nepal, especially adolescents, women in rural areas, LGBTIQ+ individuals and people with disabilities where SRHR topics are still difficult to discuss openly.
SRHR gives people the right to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. It includes access to family planning, maternal care, STI services, safe abortion where legal and sexuality education. Nepal has made significant progress, but stigma and lack of information still keep many from seeking care.
For Sita, one conversation changed everything. She left with answers, not with fear and confusion. Breaking the stigma around SRHR starts with open dialogue, supportive services and respect for every person’s right to choose. Because health decisions should not be made behind the closed doors, they should be supported by knowledge, dignity and freedom to choose.
From a public health perspective, the importance of SRHR cannot be overstated. Ensuring access to contraceptive services, for example, reduces unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality. In countries like Nepal, where socio-cultural norms often influence reproductive choices, strengthening SRHR can significantly contribute to improved maternal and child health indicators.
