By Alex Bush
May 21, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered the government to provide “safe and affordable abortion services” by creating a fund that will cover the costs of abortions for women who cannot afford them, reports the pro-abortion Centre for Reproductive Rights. The court also ordered that the government must “educate health providers and the public of the country’s abortion laws.”
Abortion was made legal in Nepal in 2002 up until the 12th week of pregnancy, or 18th week in cases of rape, incest, disabilities of the baby, or if the woman’s health is in danger.
“This is one of the most important legal victories for women in Nepal in almost a decade,” said Melissa Upreti, regional manager and legal adviser for Asia at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “This decision shows that protecting women’s health and lives means more than just keeping reproductive health services legal – it means ensuring that those services are in fact available to everyone who needs them.”
Related LifeSiteNews Coverage:
Abortion Given Legal Boost in 16 Countries in Last Decade
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08103007.html
NEPAL LEGALIZES ABORTION IN RESPONSE TO UNITED NATIONS DEMANDS
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/mar/02031502.html
UN EXPLICITLY DEMANDS ABORTION RIGHTS IN NEPAL
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/sept/010912.html