The Center for Reproductive Rights, a global legal advocacy organisation working for advancement of reproductive rights and their recognition as fundamental human rights, formally announced the opening of its new office in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The launch of the office represents the culmination and extension of more than a decade of work in Nepal expanding women’s access to affordable and high-quality reproductive health services and securing a constitutional right to safe abortion for all women, regardless of their economic circumstances.

In its first few years, the Center’s Nepal office will focus on promoting a rights-based approach to the full range of reproductive health care—including contraception, maternal health, and safe abortion—through the implementation of constitutional and other legal protections. The Nepal office will be overseen by Sonali Regmi, Regional Manager for Asia in Kathmandu, and Melissa Upreti, Regional Director for Asia in the Center’s Global Legal Program, based in New York.

“The opening of the Nepal office will allow us to work with the government, civil society, and national human rights institutions  to develop and implement an array of legal strategies that will promote access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare and the dignified treatment of women who seek these services,” said Melissa Upreti. nepalnews.com