Abortion has been legalized in Nepal since September 2002 by the amendment to the "MulukiAin”. As per the law, the woman can procure abortion if she wishes, forany pregnancy up t0 12 weeks of gestation, and upto 18 weeks if the pregnancy follows rape or incest. Abortion can be done if the foetus has a major congenital anomaly in compatible with life. Abortion can be done if continuation of pregnancy poses a serious threat to the mother's life. ccording to the Abortion law of Nepal, “only listed doctors or health providers can provide abortion services at approved health facilities, clinics, and hospitals with the consent of pregnant women and according to the national standard” (DHS, 2009). Women can terminate pregnancy if it has resulted from rape and incest; and due to failed family planning (Source: THT, Feb 27). Sex selective abortion is punished under this act. Since abortion was legalized in Nepal, mushrooming of both authorized as well as unauthorized clinics and centers are rising in Nepal on commercial basis rather than services. About 800,000 Nepalese women get pregnant every year (Source: THT, Feb 27). Two hundred thousand of total pregnancies are defined as unplanned, unintended and unwanted by Nepalese women.
