The case for the complete decriminalisation of abortion care in Nepal and beyond.
expert_opinion · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40607492.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.lansea.2025.100616 and PMC identifier 12213255.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Our Viewpoint makes the case for the complete decriminalisation of abortion in Nepal (and beyond) as a key strategy to removing barriers to abortion care. The criminal framing of abortion-even if subject to exceptions-creates legal barriers to accessing abortion, which then compound socio-cultural and medical barriers. Nepal represents fertile ground for abortion law reform centred on complete decriminalisation due to its pioneering constitutional approach to sexual and reproductive health rights. However, even in Nepal's liberal context, the enduring partial criminalisation of abortion hinders abortion access, especially for historically marginalised groups and in remote areas. This Viewpoint recommends complete decriminalisation in Nepal and South and Southeast Asian countries facing similar socio-legal barriers to abortion access. Our position as legal experts echoes calls for the complete decriminalisation of abortion by national and international medical professional bodies, which we hope will inform regional strategies to improve access to safe abortions.