The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) stated Wednesday that Nepal has the highest maternal death rate among South Asian countries, with 515 deaths per 100,000 women. Abortion is illegal in Nepal, where 75% of women in jail are imprisoned for having an abortion.
FPAN said women were dying from illegal abortions and subsequent infections. FPAN said poverty, illiteracy, and lack of knowledge about family planning were the main reasons behind illegal abortions. FPAN is planning to increase their free family planning services to reach every district in the country.
