#74 Abortion Rights in Nepal, Part 1

Boju Bajai

It's been exactly twenty years since Nepal legalized abortion. There's been a lot of talk about abortion and women’s rights over their bodies since Roe v. Wade was overturned in the US. But have we ever had similar discussions over abortion rights in Nepal, accessibility to such services, and the cultural attitudes towards abortion in Nepali society, where abortion was legalized twenty years ago? In the first of two parts, we discuss the cultural attitudes surrounding abortion in our homes, families, and hospitals, and what that means for young Nepali women when they seek such services. And how could American politics around abortion rights actually have an impact down the line in countries like Nepal? ------------ Research by Shristi Shakya Theme music by Fleeke ------------ If you enjoy listening to Boju Bajai and want to support our work, please consider becoming our patron. More details at patreon.com/bojubajai Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter 'Cold Takes by Boju Bajai' https://bojubajai.substack.com/ Subscribe to Boju Bajai on all podcast platforms Follow Boju Bajai on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram Related readings - How Donald Trump’s anti-abortion rule is creating a dystopia for Nepali women https://tkpo.st/2r3Atxb - गर्भपतन सम्बन्धाी कानुृनको कार्यान्वयनको अवस्था र चुनौती, FWLD https://bit.ly/3rrbm3j - When pro-choice becomes no-choice https://bit.ly/3UT2AIJ - ‘Abortion in Nepal: Women Imprisoned’ (2002) by the Centre for Reproductive Law and Policy and the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) https://bit.ly/3C0N9pl - Nepali women imprisoned for abortion granted amnesty https://bit.ly/3SvhZ0m - Read more about the landmark 2009 Supreme Court decision in Lakshmi Dhikta v. Nepal which not only reinforced the right to abortion but also emphasized that access to abortion is a human right. https://bit.ly/3EbDoay - Roe v Wade explained https://bit.ly/3EilhQ6 - More than 600,000 unwanted pregnancies a year, 390,000 abortions, many largely unsafe, says a new UNFPA report https://bit.ly/3EafITT - Although Roe v. Wade does not have a direct impact on US foreign policy, its overturn would send a strong signal about the US position on reproductive health care. Donor Tracker Commentary, 2022 https://bit.ly/3M2PpRI - A report by The Washington Post stated that following the leak of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, Google searches for IUD, Plan B, and contraception spiked. https://wapo.st/3SF0UAO