‘Like Ireland on steroids’: Malta’s abortion taboo leaves women in despair

'Like Ireland on steroids': Malta's abortion taboo leaves women in despair
Border closures have trapped women seeking safe terminations and exposed the plight of those who cannot afford to travel

Megan Clement and Bertrand Borg in Valetta
Thu 11 Jun 2020

The nurse who told Marija she was still pregnant thought she was giving her patient good news. She chided Marija, who was seven weeks along, for not starting her vitamins sooner and sent her home.

But Marija (not her real name) was devastated. Six days earlier, she had tried to terminate the pregnancy with abortion pills she ordered online. But she had experienced terrible morning sickness throughout her pregnancy, and had thrown up after taking the first of the two pills. She was worried the medication had not had time to work before she vomited. After taking the second pill and bleeding for a few days, she went to the hospital to find out if she had miscarried.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/11/like-ireland-on-steroids-maltas-abortion-taboo-leaves-women-in-despair


Abortion debate goes mainstream in Malta

Abortion debate goes mainstream in Malta
Opposition conservatives have labeled the European election a ‘referendum on abortion.’

By Jillian Deutsch
5/22/19

MSIDA, Malta — The controversial debate on Malta's stringent abortion laws has shifted from Facebook forums to the highest levels of politics just in time for the European election.

In the weeks leading up to Saturday’s ballot, the opposition Nationalist Party took out billboard adverts across the island championing the party’s anti-abortion message. Its leader Adrian Delia called the European election a “referendum on abortion” — accusing the ruling Labour Party of secretly supporting greater abortion rights.

Continued: https://www.politico.eu/article/maltese-activists-labor-for-an-abortion-debate/


Times Are Changing: Malta’s First Ever Pro-Choice Movement To Launch This Weekend

Times Are Changing: Malta’s First Ever Pro-Choice Movement To Launch This Weekend
'Women seeking abortions continue to live in fear, stigma and shame in our society'

Tim Diacono
Mar 4, 2019

It would have been unthinkable in the past, but Malta’s first ever pro-choice movement is set to launch this weekend to campaign for the legalisation of abortion.

Details are still scant at this stage, but the movement is expected to include the Women’s Rights Foundation and Moviment Graffitti, both of whom have been sharing the upcoming launch on social media.

Continued: https://lovinmalta.com/news/times-are-changing-maltas-first-ever-pro-choice-movement-to-launch-this-weekend