Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Renu, Nepal

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I was alone when I miscarried in the morning. My husband never allowed me to use contraception despite the doctor’s suggestions that I need to see the doctor before I decide to have another pregnancy. The doctor had in fact, asked me to visit him when my son was one and a half years because he too was not doing well.

My last pregnancy was difficult. I had been feeling unwell and kept getting dizzy spells. At seven months, out of sheer frustration, I took a bunch of paracetamol (pain reliever) in the hope that it would provide me with some relief.

I was alone when I miscarried around six in the morning. Shortly after, the landlord and another tenant in the same building appeared. The landlord reported me to the police, telling them that I had committed a murder, that my miscarriage was intentional. The police arrived around 7:00 A.M. and took me away in their van.

They assured me nothing was going to happen. Later, they made me sign a statement saying I had destroyed my fetus intentionally.... I told them about the medicine I took for dizziness.
I was kept in police custody for 14 days. Later, I was taken to a hospital for treatment.... I was forced to go by the police and I had to pay for it myself.... I was able to get a lawyer with the help of a women’s group.

But my lawyer has not done much for me despite the fact that she charged me more than NPR 3,500 (USD 45). I was present during the trial and appeared in court eight times before the final decision was issued. I paid my lawyer NPR 1,000 (USD 13) on the date of the decision but I had not yet received a copy of it. The lawyer keeps assuring me that I will be released soon. In fact, she has promised to get me released in eight months, but only if I pay an additional NPR 3,000 (USD 39) for the appeal.

The judge sentenced me to 20 years in prison (life sentence) and then reduced it to two years. The main reason for reducing the sentence was "lok laaj," my understanding that I committed the crime.

I barely have access to health care in prison. I have to raise money from other inmates for treatment and it is very difficult to obtain permission for treatment in an outside facility. I receive NPR 15 (USD .19) for lentils, which must also cover the spices and kerosene oil to cook my food and soap for washing. I receive seven kilograms of rice a month, and a sari and a shawl once a year. I have to support my young son with what little I get. I receive two small buckets of drinking water and six small buckets of water to wash clothes and bathe every week. I live in a dark room, and have my own mattress and have to provide my own linen.

My ten-year-old son works as a domestic servant for a family in Kathmandu. My seven-year-old daughter lives with my married stepdaughter, who I believe treats her no better than a domestic servant. My stepdaughter has never brought my daughter to visit me in prison. My five-year-old son is with me in jail. I am very worried about my children. After I am released I will go back to my husband.

[The name has not been used to protect privacy. This story published in “Abortion in Nepal; Women imprisoned” were told by an inmate at Kathmandu Central Jail. The report was published by the Center for Reproductive Rights and the Forum for Women, Law and Development]

updated: 7/2/2004