Experts Gather for Screening and Discussion of New Documentary on Abortion Reform in Nepal

The Center for Reproductive Rights and the Nepal-based Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) marked the release of a new documentary on Nepal abortion reform by hosting a screening and panel discussion in Kathmandu. 

The documentary, Collective Voyage: A Tireless Journey for Ensuring the Right to Safe Abortion in Nepal, showcases Nepal’s remarkable 25-year journey from abortion as a crime to what is now a fundamental, constitutional right. 

“The documentary is a testament and reflection of our collective efforts to ensure abortion rights in Nepal, aided over decades by stakeholders’ combined struggles and initiatives,” said Prabina Bajracharya, the Center’s Regional Director for Asia. 

The panel event, “Decriminalization of Abortion in Asia—Nepal’s Abortion Rights Journey and Lessons for the Region,” took place on November 22, 2024—the release date of the Nepali-language Collective Voyage documentary. The English-language version of the film became available in May 2025.

At the event, the Honorable Kalyan Shrestha, Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, gave the keynote address advocating for the complete decriminalization of abortion in line with international human rights standards.

The panel brought together key stakeholders, experts, and advocates to discuss: 

• The current state of abortion rights in Nepal and other Asian countries. 
• The challenges faced by women seeking access to safe abortion. 
• Pathways to ensure the decriminalization of abortion and enhanced reproductive autonomy and justice.  

Panelists included:

• Clara Rita “Claire” A. Padilla, Executive Director, EnGendeRights, Inc., who highlighted how the criminalization of abortion in the Philippines impacts access to care for women and girls.  
• Anubha Rastogi, Independent Lawyer and SRHR expert, who reflected on the existing legal framework of abortion and its impact on access in India and traced its historical motivations.  
• Dr. Gauri Pradhan, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician Gynecologist, Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal, who highlighted the role of medical service providers in ensuring the constitutionally protected right to abortion is guaranteed in Nepal.  
• Sabin Shrestha, Executive Director of FWLD, who spoke about strategies to advocate for decriminalization of abortion in Nepal. 

“While we take this moment to be grateful and celebrate the gains, we need to continue our work in ensuring the full decriminalization of abortion in Nepal in line with international human rights law,” said Bajracharya. “We hope this documentary will also inspire other nations in the region to develop strategies in rights-based abortion movement and law reform. This moment reassures our collective commitment to ensuring the realization of reproductive rights and justice for all.”

FWLD’s Shreshta remarked that the Nepal documentary “not only reflects the transition from the criminalization of abortion to its recognition as a fundamental right, but it also signifies something more. It portrays a long and tiring yet historical advocacy journey. This is also a tribute and acknowledgment to all those organizations, as well as individuals, who contributed to this journey and made this possible.”

Watch Collective Voyage: A Tireless Journey for Ensuring the Right to Safe Abortion in Nepal here: 

>>Watch in English. 

>>Watch in Nepali.