Kathmandu. Although the Constitution of Nepal guarantees safe motherhood and reproductive health as fundamental rights for women, the reality remains dire. The Women's Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) recently issued an appeal drawing the government's attention to the fact that Nepali women remain deprived of basic health services due to remote geography, weak health infrastructure, and a lack of manpower.

Due to a shortage of skilled personnel and the absence of effective emergency services, pregnant women continue to face the tragic fate of dying on the way to hospitals or giving birth on the road. National statistics highlight the severity of the safe motherhood situation.

According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, the maternal mortality rate stands at 151 per 100,000 live births. Only 79 percent of deliveries occur in health institutions, and just 57 percent of women receive the recommended four antenatal check-ups. The fact that 17 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 become pregnant and the use of modern family planning methods is limited to 43 percent underscores the poor state of reproductive health.

The situation in Karnali Province is even more pathetic. Over the past 9 years, 172 women have died due to lack of access, and in districts like Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, and Bajura, women giving birth on the road has become a common occurrence. In Bajura alone, 12 pregnant and postpartum women have died in the last four years.

In Jumla, 152 out of 184 approved doctor positions remain vacant, reflecting extreme negligence in the health system. Recent incidents, such as the one on Chait 9 in Bajura where a woman had to give birth on the way to the hospital and both mother and child died due to complications, have raised questions about the accessibility of safe motherhood services.

According to WOREC, the lack of access to health services is driven not only by remote geography but also by socio-cultural discrimination and gender-based violence. Among those who arrived at WOREC's shelter in 2025, 9 cases involved adolescent pregnancies, all of which were affected by gender-based violence. While some work has been done at the policy level regarding safe abortion and uterine prolapse, ineffective implementation continues to cause suffering for women.

In this context, WOREC has placed specific demands on the newly formed government. They have called for the expansion of quality emergency maternal health services in remote and marginalized areas, the assurance of skilled manpower and equipment in health institutions, and the implementation of effective emergency rescue services, including free airlifts for pregnant women.

Furthermore, WOREC has emphasized the need for strict legal enforcement to end child marriage, sexual violence, and gender discrimination, as well as the expansion of mental health and psychosocial counseling services down to the local level.

https://english.ratopati.com/story/57942/the-right-to-safe-motherhood-in-nepal-is-still-limited-to-paper

As conflicts and geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, Nepali migrant workers are facing a precarious and dangerous situation. The registration of over 86,000 Nepalis for emergency assistance is not just a statistic; it represents a collective plea for safety, dignity, and acknowledgment from individuals who contribute to the nation's economy but are often overlooked in times of need.

For years, Nepal has heavily relied on remittances from its migrant workers, who not only support their families but also play a crucial role in the country's stability. However, when crises arise, these workers are left vulnerable and neglected. The recent incidents in Abu Dhabi, where several Nepali workers were injured by debris from intercepted drones, highlight the harsh reality of the risks they face in conflicts they have no part in initiating or controlling. (Migrant workers in wartime | Nepali Times)

The Nepali government has taken some measures to address the situation, such as establishing a 24-hour Emergency Control Room, expanding hotline services, and deploying Rapid Response Teams at embassies. While these efforts are commendable, they must be carried out with urgency, coordination, and transparency to be effective. Many migrant workers are still stranded due to flight cancellations, delays in labor approvals, and unclear evacuation plans, especially in high-risk countries like Kuwait and the UAE. (South Asian Workers Stranded by War on Iran)

The situation is even more dire for those who are unable to return home. 38 Nepali individuals are still stranded abroad due to logistical challenges and bureaucratic delays. Each of these individuals has a family waiting for closure, with mothers anxiously checking the news every night and children wondering when their fathers will return. While the government has managed to repatriate a few, the majority are left in a state of uncertainty.

This crisis not only has humanitarian implications but also economic consequences. The conflict in the Middle East poses a direct threat to remittance inflows, which are Nepal's primary source of foreign income. A significant decrease in remittances would have a ripple effect on rural communities, impacting livelihoods, education, and healthcare. For many families, a disrupted remittance is not just a financial setback but a matter of survival.

Despite the challenges, the lack of clear communication from officials has heightened public anxiety. Families are in need of regular updates on rescue efforts, diplomatic negotiations, and available support services. Trust must be earned through transparency and decisive action.

It is crucial to recognize the diverse vulnerabilities within migrant communities. Women workers, undocumented migrants, and those in informal sectors are at a higher risk of exploitation, abuse, and exclusion from rescue efforts. Protection measures must be inclusive, rights-based, and gender-sensitive to ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis.

Nepal is at a critical juncture. This moment requires more than just a bureaucratic response - it necessitates a moral reevaluation of how the nation values its labor force. Protection should not be an afterthought triggered by tragedy; it should be a national pledge, ingrained and lasting.

The issue is no longer about whether migrant workers drive Nepal's economy - they undeniably do. The real question is whether the country has the bravery to acknowledge them as citizens first, deserving of full respect, security, and support, regardless of where they reside and work.

The response will not only shape the outcome of this crisis but also define the ethical direction of Nepal as a country.

Beyond Remittance: A Crisis of Dignity and Protection for Nepali Migrant Workers | New Spotlight Magazine

On the occasion of International Women's Day, on March 8, DASTAk Foundation, a Pakistan based civil society organization working against gender-based violence across Pakistan, organized a virtual panel discussion on "Envisioning Elimination of Violence Against Women Across South Asia." The panel discussion aimed at starting a conversation on empowering survivors as change-makers, recommendations and a way forward to eradicate gender-based violence.

The panel discussion featured women rights activists and representatives of civil organizations working to counter GBV in the South Asian region, including Lubha Raj Neupane, WOREC's Executive Director, Dr Asma Shakir Khawaja, Associate Professor at National Defense University, Pakistan, Kamla Bhasin, Indian developmental feminist and activist, Shiranee Mills, Executive Director of Women's Education and Research Centre, Sri Lanka, Shireen Pervin Huq, a Women's rights activist, Bangladesh, Syed Ali Hameed from DASTAK, Pakistan, and Sayed Mohebullah Haqiq, Country Director of Women for Afghan Women, Afghanistan.

The panellists shared their experiences in combatting gender-based violence, infanticide, domestic violence, and early marriage and discussed ways and means through which collaborative interventions can be launched to eliminate violence against women across South Asia.