Malta’s Abortion Debate: Women’s Council Calls for Safe Raids

In the heart of Valletta, at the foot of the Grandmaster’s Palace, a group of women gathered, their voices echoing through Republic Street, demanding change. They were there to support the Council of Women’s call to investigate safes containing abortion pills across Malta. The scene was a stark reminder of the island’s complex abortion debate, a conversation that’s been simmering for decades.

Malta is one of the few European countries where abortion is still illegal in all circumstances. The Criminal Code, enacted in 1854, makes abortion a crime punishable by up to four years in prison. This absolute ban has led to a clandestine network of women helping each other access abortion pills, often kept in safes at their homes or in trusted locations around the island.

In recent years, the debate around abortion has intensified. In 2019, a woman known only as ‘J’ challenged the abortion law at the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that Malta’s absolute ban violated her rights. The case is ongoing, but it has brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse.

The Council of Women, a non-profit organization advocating for women’s rights in Malta, has now called on the police to raid safes containing abortion pills. The council argues that this would help women access safe, legal abortion services, and put pressure on the government to change the law.

“We understand that this is a sensitive issue,” said Maria Attard, a spokesperson for the Council of Women. “But we believe that by targeting these safes, we can start a conversation about the need for safe, legal abortion services in Malta.”

The council’s call has sparked a heated debate. Some argue that it’s a necessary step to protect women’s health and rights. Others worry that it could put women who help each other access abortion pills at risk of prosecution.

The police have not yet responded to the Council of Women’s call. Meanwhile, the debate around abortion continues to rage on social media and in the streets of Malta. The upcoming general election in 2022 could also influence the conversation, with some political parties indicating they may include abortion in their manifestos.

For now, the safes containing abortion pills remain untouched, their contents a symbol of the complex, emotive debate around abortion in Malta. As the council of women continues to push for change, one thing is clear: the conversation around abortion in Malta is far from over.