CEDAW Shadow Report  2011  The Report of the Government of Nepal  The 4th and 5th combined report of the Government of Nepal states that Nepal is one of the countries in Asia that has a high maternal mortality rate. Son preference, women’s limited access to knowledge, food and care, risks of childbirth, early marriage and early pregnancy, poor family planning services, lack of reproductive health supplies, lack of male responsibility for contraception, low literacy and lack of ability to raise up reproductive health issues within the family are among the factors that were identified as contributing to the high rate. The report also says that the increasing cases of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS reflect on the poor health status of the women in the country. NGOs working for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) have always been intrigued by the possibility of incorporating SRHR issues more comprehensively within the CEDAW reporting process. We thought it is helpful if we present the Shadow Report, with a brief analysis on how this report covers and reports on achievements in sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Shadow Report is presented to the CEDAW Committee for better insight into actual critical situation of women and girl children, and challenges thereof, and is aimed to be critically assessed by the Committee members to come out with strong Concluding Comments for making the government accountable and responsible in providing SRHR information and services to the citizens, particularly women and girls. SRHR Issues in Nepal  CEDAW demonstrates that women's health is an issue that is recognized as a central concern in promoting the health and well-being of women. It requires State parties to eliminate discrimination against women in their access to health care services, throughout the life cycle, particularly in the areas of family planning, and pre-natal, delivery and post-natal periods. For the benefit of State parties and those who have a particular interest in and concern with the issues surrounding women's health, the present general recommendation seeks to elaborate the Committee's understanding of article 12 and to address measures to eliminate discrimination and ensure equality in order to realize the rights of women to the highest attainable standard of health, including appropriate services pertaining to SRHR. Safe Abortion  Indeed abortion, including delivery facilities, has been expanded throughout the country. Maternal mortality rate is in decreasing trend. Nepal has been very successful in decreasing the maternal mortality to its 2/3rd for which the country also won an award. Over the past ten years there has been significant improvement on the proportion of mothers who received ANC from SBA increasing from 24% in 1996 to 44% in 2006 as stated in the government report.This is in a way related to the period of legalization of abortion in Nepal as experts say (Dr. Indira Basnet’s blog). 6  Beyond Beijing Committee, Kathmandu, Nepal