KATHMANDU, Sept 22: Lawmakers have demanded that violence during childbirth be classified as an offense and that laws be amended to ensure respectful and safe maternity care.
The demand was made at a discussion on ‘Respectful Maternity Care and Laws Needed to Address Obstetric Violence’ organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) on Monday.
FWLD advocate Dipesh Shrestha made a presentation on respectful maternity care, its dimensions and ways to reduce obstetric violence. He said respectful maternity care should be free from postpartum abuse, coercion and discrimination and should be provided with dignity, sensitivity and adequate information.
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Shrestha said Nepal has an obligation to formulate laws on respectful maternity care in line with international treaties and agreements to which it is a party. He called for classifying obstetric violence as an offense, amending Section 6(2) of the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act 2018, ensuring compensation and making maternity services non-discriminatory.
Lawmaker Sushila Dhakal Acharya stressed the importance of an intimate and supportive relationship between husbands and wives, while Balawati Sharma called for laws to reduce violence during labor and greater awareness among doctors and nurses. Lalita Kumari urged people not to make disrespectful remarks about doctors and nurses, saying shortcomings in treatment should instead be addressed through corrective measures.
Radhika Ramtel said respectful maternity care remains beyond imagination in remote areas of Karnali because of the behavior of health workers. Prabha Karki urged pregnant women to prioritize their health, while Achutam Lamichhane stressed the need to raise awareness about women’s rights, responsibilities and education.
Alija Gurung emphasized girls’ education and said laws were needed to prevent doctors’ negligence. Guru Baral called for greater civic awareness, timely revision of laws, transformation among health workers and improved social awareness to promote respectful maternity care.
Other lawmakers, including Parbati BK, Srijana Shrestha, Ganga Shrestha, Yasoda Baral, Ratna Kumari Thapa, Hari Bhushal and Ranju Neupane (Darshana), also stressed education, public awareness, state responsibility and improvements in hospital practices.
Citing the case of Babita Paswan of Saptari, Ambika Devi Sangraula urged people to learn from such incidents and remain alert to prevent their recurrence.
The programme also highlighted the eight principles of respectful maternity care developed by the White Ribbon Alliance. Artists from the Brajapani Art Natya Group performed a drama depicting incidents related to obstetric violence in Nepali society.
