Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence shows a rapid increase in home delivery, an increase in the number of maternal deaths reporting, and low utilization of services at the health facilities across Nepal. A significant human resource gap for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services exists in all provinces. The procurement and supply chain management capacity remain weak, resulting in shortages of essential medicines at the service delivery points. The challenges have further exacerbated in the current COVID-19 context.

In view of this, the Family Welfare Division (FWD) of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is conducting a high-level policy dialogue on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) to mobilise support to protect women’s lives through closing the gap in access to quality SRHR in Nepal. The policy dialogue is supported by UKaid and UNFPA. ADRA, an implementing partner of UNFPA, is coordinating the event. 

While the federal-level policy dialogue will be organised on December 18, a preparatory province-level consultation will be held on December 16. The dialogue will be a virtual event attended by key parliamentarians, federal and provincial officials from key ministries, civil society, sexual and reproductive health and rights activists and advocates, youth networks and activists, people living with a disability, the private sector; multilateral and bilateral organisations, among others.

The overall objective is to mobilise high-level support to protect women’s lives through closing the gap in access to quality sexual and reproductive health services in Nepal. The dialogue will aim to: 

• Increase awareness of the SRH gaps including during COVID-19.
• Discuss how the systemic and underlying socio-cultural challenges can be effectively addressed.
• Promote accountability and compliance with the laws and policies including ensuring non-discrimination in the implementation of policies and plans

The anticipated outcomes of the policy dialogue are:

• Reaching consensus on key actions to advance SRHR goals in line with the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Rights Act 2018 and the Government of Nepal’s Nairobi Commitments 2019.