Nepal – Legal abortion is not enough without safe and accessible services, says Dr. Bhola Rijal
Summary
A Kathmandu interview with gynecologist Dr. Bhola Rijal examines abortion in Nepal, where legal recognition has not ensured safe and accessible services for every woman. The discussion addresses differences between safe and unsafe abortion, misinformation, self-medication, social misconceptions, shortages of skilled health workers, and the continuing risks to women’s reproductive health. Published October 13, 2026, the report emphasizes that legal rights must be accompanied by accurate information, qualified medical care, and practical access to services.
Watchmen Signals
Biblical Context
The reported concern for women facing unsafe procedures and inadequate medical access connects with Scripture’s repeated demand that vulnerable people be protected from harm. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for speaking up for those whose interests may be overlooked, while Psalm 82:3-4 urges the defense of the weak and needy. These passages support concern for accurate information, competent care, and protection from preventable injury, although they do not prescribe a modern health-care system or settle every question of abortion policy. Scripture also gives significant weight to human life before birth. Psalm 139:13-16 describes God’s involvement in forming a person in the womb, and Luke 1:41-44 portrays the unborn John as a living child who responds in the womb. Together, these passages support the view that unborn life has moral significance before birth. Exodus 20:13 supplies the broader prohibition against unjust killing, but applying that command to abortion involves theological and ethical interpretation; the passage does not directly discuss modern abortion procedures or legislation. The article reports a tension that Scripture does not resolve through a single modern policy formula: women need protection from unsafe and exploitative medical conditions, while unborn human life must also be treated as morally significant. The biblical connection is therefore substantial but should not be overstated. Scripture addresses the value of life, concern for the vulnerable, and responsibility to prevent harm; it does not directly evaluate Nepal’s legal framework or provide clinical guidance.
Biblical Sources
Scripture references supporting the biblical context above.
The prohibition of murder provides a broader biblical principle concerning the protection of human life, though applying it specifically to abortion requires interpretation.
John the Baptist is described as responding in the womb, reflecting the New Testament’s treatment of the unborn as living persons within the narrative.
The passage calls for advocacy and justice for people who may be unable to speak or protect their own interests, relevant to concern for vulnerable women and unborn children.
The command to defend the weak and needy supports concern about preventing avoidable harm from misinformation, unsafe procedures, and inadequate access to care.
The psalm describes God’s formation and knowledge of a person in the womb, supporting the biblical significance of unborn human life in a discussion of abortion.
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