Malta’s Women’s Council: ‘Open Safes, Save Lives’

In the heart of Valletta, at the historic Auberge d’Italie, the Council of Women Malta (CWM) has sparked a conversation that’s been simmering under the surface for decades. They’re calling for an investigation into safes across Malta, not for stolen jewels or secret documents, but for abortion pills hidden away, waiting to save lives.

Unspoken Realities

The CWM’s demand isn’t born out of speculation. Malta’s strict abortion laws have pushed women to desperate measures. Some turn to illegal, often unsafe methods. Others look abroad, braving the stigma and financial burden of traveling for a termination. But many more live with unwanted pregnancies, their stories untold, their struggles unacknowledged.

According to the CWM, some women, fearing the worst, have resorted to stockpiling abortion pills. These safes, scattered across the islands, could be holding lifelines, but also potential time bombs. The pills, if not used correctly, can be dangerous. That’s why the CWM is urging authorities to find these safes, educate women on safe abortion methods, and perhaps, open a dialogue on Malta’s abortion laws.

Safe Spaces, Safe Methods

The CWM isn’t advocating for unsafe abortions. They’re calling for safe, legal, and accessible ones. They want women to know their options, to have access to safe pills, and to understand how to use them correctly. They’re not asking for a change in law, but for a change in approach, a recognition that women deserve better.

“We’re not saying Malta should legalize abortion,” says CWM spokesperson, Maria Attard. “We’re saying Malta should make it safe. We should stop pushing women into dangerous corners and start giving them safe choices.”

Safe Spaces in Malta

Malta’s safe spaces for women are few and far between. The Marigold Foundation, based in Msida, offers counseling and support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. The CWM is urging more such spaces, more open conversations, more understanding.

“We need to create a culture where women feel supported, not shamed,” says Attard. “Where they can talk about their choices, their fears, their struggles. Where they can find help, not judgment.”

Malta’s abortion debate has long been mired in politics and religion. The CWM is trying to shift the focus, to make it about women’s health, women’s lives. They’re not asking for a miracle, just a start. A start that could be as simple as opening a safe, saving a life.