KATHMANDU, JANUARY 4

Sunaulo Nepal Parivar and Marie Stopes, humanitarian organisations that provide services such as safe abortion, contraception, and methods of family planning across Nepal have introduced a hotline service 1143 for service-seekers.

The free telephone service will provide people with information on issues of safe sex, family planning and safe abortion.

Marie Stopes, since 1976, has been advocating that women should give birth to children by choice not by force. In line with this, the organisation has been playing a crucial role in spreading knowledge about the importance of family planning in rural parts of Nepal since 1994.

Marie Stopes, issuing a press release today, said the toll free number ‘1143’ is also used as a colloquial term of “I love you”. It is expected to spread love and understanding between partners. “All people can call the number where our counsellors (meri saathi) will give advice about sex health, contraceptive measures, safe abortion and other measures of family planning.” Counselling is held every day from 7:00am to 12:00pm at Marie Stopes centres.

Marie Stopes also provides abortion for unwanted pregnancy at a nominal cost. It has also been organising various educational programmes related to the issue and urging people to utilise the fundamental human right of sex and maternity.