Reproductive rights of Nepalese women: current status and future directions.

he International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 for the first time introduced the concept of Reproductive Health (RH) through a life cycle approach. Reproductive health was explained as a state of complete mental, physical and social well being in all matters of reproductive systems, its functions and processes. It means being able to have a satisfying and safe sexual life and capability to have children and the freedom to decide if when and how often to do so. Nepal has defined the National Reproductive Health Policy, and has formulated a strategy which encompasses safe motherhood and neonatal care, family planning, management of complications of abortions, STI/HIV and AIDS, infertility, adolescent reproductive health, and reproductive health of the elderly including cancers as the essential components of the national RH package.