Rise in abortions

It is very hard to pass a judgment on whether or not the rise in the number of abortions in Nepal since it was legalized in 2004 is good or bad since many vital data is still not available. According to a government figure, the number of females opting for abortion has been on the rise with 88,938 abortions carried out in 2009/2010 compared to just 51,415 in 2007/2008. But it is still difficult to ascertain from the available data if abortion was used as an alternative to contraceptives. If that is indeed the case, we are certainly not heading in the right direction. Abortion is an extremely useful tool in rare cases such as when a woman conceives from rape or when fetal abnormalities threaten a woman’s life and health. Otherwise it should always be seen and used as a last recourse.



The available data on abortions also begs another question: Has abortion actually risen or is it just that more females now opt for this service in clinics and hospitals as it is legal rather than doing it discreetly? This is something that is hard to discern from the government data. If the numbers have indeed gone up, then it is a sign that the state has a lot of homework to do such as investing more in sex education. The message has to go out loud and clear that contraception any day is an easy and safe option over abortion.



One worrying aspect of the data (again if we can rely on it) is that teenage abortions are on the rise. Is this a result of the conflict between the closed culture within our Nepali families where a frank discussion on sex is still unimaginable and the changing attitudes of the newer generation? Or is it simply reckless behavior on the part of the young? Are teenage pregnancies happening inside or outside marriages? Twenty-three percent of the total abortions carried out in 2009/2010 were on youngsters aged 15-19. If the girls were married, is it an indication that our legal age of marriage is openly flouted?



All said there is only so much that a government can do when it comes to teenage pregnancies. A major share of the responsibility to reverse the trend lies on the shoulders of the parents. They are the ones who can really teach and educate their children of the need and the advantages of refraining from irresponsible and risky behavior. And, in general, the message should go out loud and clear that abortion and contraception are two different things altogether.

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