Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognise the positive contribution of migrants and identify migrants as ‘vulnerable people’. However, little attention is paid to migrant women in the implementation process of SDGs. Goal 3 states, explicitly target 3.7, ‘by 2020, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs’. However, migrant women cannot access contraceptive devices since each country has different rules and regulations though they may be familiar with their home countries’ policies on contraception.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the Government of Japan as of the end of June 2021, 97,026 Nepali nationals reside in Japan. Out of them, 41,282 (43%) are women and most of them are of reproductive age. One previous study revealed that 10 per cent of Nepali women migrants had abortions in Japan. This study aimed to identify the gaps and changes in migrants’ needs to fulfil SRHR before and after migration to Japan. The research collected data through the online survey and Focus Group Discussions of Nepali men and women and key informant interviews with healthcare professionals in Nepal and Japan.
The available contraceptive device in Japan is mainly limited to condoms that women need to rely on their male partners to use. Though Intra-Uterine devices (IUD) or permanent methods are also available in Japan, it is too costly for migrant women to apply because health insurance schemes do not cover these. There are no over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive devices that women can use in Japan. They need to see gynecologists and get prescriptions to buy oral contraceptive pills or morning-after pills, the so-called abortion pill. It will be difficult for migrant women to use them due to financial constraints and language barriers. Therefore, migrant women often ask their friends or relatives to send contraceptive devices from Nepal by postal services. However, such medicines are not always in good condition. In addition, it is difficult for women migrants to take them appropriately. As a result, some of them got pregnant or sick and may need abortion care.
The survey results found that few people had known about the differences in contraception options and costs in Nepal and Japan before coming to Japan. Not only women but also men share information on SRHS through the community network. The study found that it is necessary not only for pregnancy, childbirth, and abortion but also information on fertility treatment and that consultations on social security aspects such as health insurance and local government subsidy systems are required. The paper concludes the importance of including SRHR in pre-departure training in Nepal as source country and organising post-arrival training in Japan as destination country.
