Kathmandu, July 26 

The Women and Social Committee, House of Representatives (HoR), has directed different ministries for the effective implementation of ‘ The Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act, 2075 (2018).’

A meeting of the committee today directed the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies for the same.

The meeting discussed the practices of maternity leave related with the safe motherhood and reproductive health rights. Similarly, the Ministry has instructed the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens to make arrangements and coordinate for the exercise of the rights as per the law. Committee President Nirudevi Pal said ”Some women-related legal provisions are said to be contravening to each other, thus obstructing their effective enforcement and in this context, the National Women’s Commission has been asked to identify if there remain such provisions, study about reasons behind the less effectiveness of women-related rights and update the committee about its findings.”

The Act has, under the right to obstetric leave, guaranteed that anywoman working in a governmental, non-governmental or private organization or institution shall have the right to get obstetric leave with pay, for a minimum of ninety-eight days before or after the delivery.

In the meeting, Former Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Thammaya Thapa, Committee members Bimala Nepali, Ganga Chaudhary Satgauwa and Narayan Khatiwada said though the provision of 98-day maternity leave had been implemented by the government offices, it was yet to be enforced by the private sector and in rural areas, highlighting the need of efforts for its guarantee.