Safe Motherhood in Nepal

 “Barriers to access” are almost always greater for poor and socially excluded families living in remote areas than for wealthier, better educated groups living in accessible areas. The Demographic and Health Surveys show that while the gap in service coverage relative to need decreased significantly between 1996 and 2006, the inequity (percentage difference between wealthiest and poorest) hardly changed. Addressing social exclusion, through targeted community interventions and policy improvements, has therefore been a key component of the SSMP Equity and Access programme. Although many of the policies needed are now in place, maintaining the momentum and continuing to address deeply ingrained social attitudes will be a key challenge for the future.