Australian envoy meets Pradhan

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 5: Australian Ambassador Keith Gardner paid a courtesy call on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan at the latter's office, today.

According to the Ministry, discussions were held on various issues including Nepal's export promotion, co-operation in the supply system in remote areas and matters of mutual interest.

On the occasion, Minister Pradhan thanked the Ambassador for Australia's co-operation in economic development of Nepal.

Few aware about abortion

By A Staff Reporter

LALITPUR, Feb.5: Only 13 per cent of males and nine per cent of females have, according to a public opinion poll, know about the act on abortion passed in 2002.

Even most of the city dwellers have not heard about the legalisatin of abortion five months after the Royal assent was given to the 11th amendment to the bill on women's property rights, 2002 that also includes the women's right to terminate unwanted pregnancies.The research covered 1,314 males and 1,299 females aged 18-60 years in 10 major cities of Nepal in the last four months, informed CREHPA (Centre for Research on Environement, Health and Population Activities) at an informal meeting organised here today. In Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, 29 per cent of males and 26 per cent of females said that they had heard about legalisation of abortion. However, only about 21 per cent of males and 16 per cent of females in the cities of Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Dharan outside the valley knew about the law. Speaking on 'Decriminalisation of abortion in Nepal: Looking ahead with caution', Melissa Uprety, legal advisor for Asia Centre for Reproductive Rights, USA said that it was inevitable that strategies and information materials needed to be developed to strengthen public education and advocacy campaigns at the district and community levels.

"It would be highly effective to create awareness about the new legislation, modify social attitudes, discourage unauthorised providers and to encourage use of contraceptives," said Uprety. However, enactment of any law depends on the socio-legal, economic, religious, political, medical, available health-related equipment and manpower and sensitising factors, she added.

In the changed context, it is likely that a substantial proportion of women with unplanned pregnancies would seek to terminate their them in public and private health sector facilities. Moreover, the proportion of women approaching unqualified practitioners for abortion leading to their death is not likely to drop immediately, said Binod Nepal of CREHPA, presenting a paper on post legalisation challenges.

Legalisation of abortion has created new paradigms and challenges for Nepal. The challenges range from access to safe abortion services, skilled human resources and advocacy. Safeguarding women's rights to abortion and protecting innocent women from false accusation for illegal abortion or infanticide are potential challenges.On the other hand, women in rural areas delay seeking medical care for abortion complications due to fear, shame, lack of knowledge and money, and lack of access to medical facilities. There is a need to support the government's efforts to prevent unsafe abortions by designing policies and programmes to address the post legalisation needs and challenges, said Nepal.

A study shows that between 20 to 60 per cent of obstetric and gynecological patients in major government hospitals of the country suffer from abortion complications.

Far-sightedness needed for peace talks

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 5: South Asia Partnership, SAP, Nepal organised an interaction programme on the topic, peace and good governance for peace talks, here today.

Various political party representatives, intellectuals, members of civic society and non-government organisation office-bearers pointed out the need for a far-sighted approach following the cease-fire agreement reached between His Majesty's Government and the Maoists.

Coordinator of the CPN-ML (reconstituted) CP Mainali said that his party has taken positive note of the talks and whoever initiated the dialogue should also take responsibility for it.

Independent intellectual Hiranya Lal Shrestha pointed out the need to focus the talks on the Constituent Assembly idea.Ex-minister Sailendra Kumar Upadhyaya emphasised the need to make public the agenda of the round-table conference.

Acting Chairperson of SAP Nepal Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, executive director Rohit Nepali, Prof Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, Dr. Dwarika Nath Dhungel and intellect Khagendra Nath Sharma were of the view that the political parties should be involved in the talks and the suffering by the nationalities as a result of the Maoist struggle should feature also.

Women to be permitted to work abroad

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 5: His Majesty's Government has decided to give permission for sending skilful and semi-skilled women for foreign employment without discrimination of the sexes, if Royal Nepalese Embassies and Consulars recommend that there is perfect security in the employment companies.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management, His Majesty's Government said, rather than prohibitting, the women can be safely sent to gulf countries as workers where they can get more opportunities to work and it is certain that more foreign currency can be earned.

The government had prohibited them from going abroad since 1997, but has changed the decision as women workers, woman active groups, non-governmental organisations and various sections of society accused that the decision was discriminatory and unjustifiable and had demanded to change it.

Envoy of UN Secretary General meets NPC VC

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 5: Dr. Nafis Sadik, special envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, called on Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Shankar Sharma today.Dr Sadik is in the capital to take part in the high level conference against HIV/AIDS organised jointly by His Majesty's Government and the UNICEF regional office for South Asia.Associate Director of UNAIDS Anindaya Chaterjee and resident Director of UNFPA Bir Musoke were also present on the occasion.Also present was the member secretary of the National Planning Commission.