CEDAW Shadow Report 2011
Executive Summary
Introduction
This Report focused on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Women has been
prepared and submitted to the CEDAW Committee by Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC) as
an Alternative Report to the 4th and 5th combined periodic report submitted by the
Government of Nepal. The purpose of the report is to maintain the government
accountability both inside the country and at the United Nations.
The SRHR Issues in Nepal
Although Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has decreased tremendously in Nepal, it is still
one of the countries in Asia that has a high maternal mortality rate. The issues such as son
preference, women’s limited access to knowledge/information, services, 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 have been identified as contributing to the high MMR. The increasing cases of sexually
transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS reflect the poor health status of the women in the country
Safe Abortion
Though abortion services are available in the districts, the trend of back street unsafe abortion
still persists in most of the areas in Nepal. The major contributing factors are lack of quality
information and services as well as the gender inequality in accessing to information and
services relating to health, especially safe abortion.
Antenatal Services
Most pregnant women tend to visit health facilities for check up only after 4.6 months of
conception in an average, which is indicative of lack of awareness about their body and
health; because earlier visits could provide early diagnosis and treatment to infection and an
opportunity to give birth to a healthy new born. The role of the FCHVs(Female community
Health Volunteers) needs to be increased through motivating them to contribute to safe
motherhood.
Nutrition
The nutrition status of women and children, especially girls, is low while the percentage of
anemic is high, based on the government report. Nutrition is critical to women not only
2 Beyond Beijing Committee, Kathmandu, Nepal