Kathmandu, Feb. 8 -- Kalpana, a resident of Siraha, was not seeking to abort the child. She was seeking medical care.

After a miscarriage, Kalpana, who the Post is identifying with a pseudonym to protect her privacy, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Instead, she was accused of having undergone an illegal abortion. The police were informed and she was arrested.

Months later, Siraha District Court cleared her of the charges by declaring that what had actually occurred was a natural miscarriage.

When the verdict was delivered, Kalpana had already spent months in police custody and dealing with court procedures. She was also ostracised by society.

Her experience is not unique.

Sarita has faced something similar. In 2017, she had un...