Government Seeks Feedback on Proposed Abortion Law Amendments

The Ministry of Health and Population has proposed significant changes to Nepal’s abortion laws and is asking the public to weigh in. A draft bill amending the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018 has been made public, and citizens have 15 days to submit their opinions or suggestions.

Currently, abortion is legally permitted up to 28 weeks of pregnancy under specific conditions. However, the new draft opens the door to allowing abortion at any stage of pregnancy — a move that has sparked debate among medical professionals and rights advocates.

Doctors have expressed concern, noting that babies born as early as 20 weeks can sometimes survive with medical support. While they agree that late-term abortions should remain an option when the mother’s life is in danger, they caution against making such procedures widely accessible without strict medical grounds.

On the other hand, human rights activists argue that the decision to continue or end a pregnancy should rest with the woman, not the state. They are calling for broader reproductive rights and fewer legal hurdles to accessing abortion services.

As the government considers this sensitive change, the public now has a chance to help shape the future of reproductive health policy in Nepal.