Gender Equality Malta (GEM) is a new youth-led NGO which aims to promote the equal treatment of people of all gender identities. Following its official launch at the University Quadrangle on 15th March 2016, GEM has been in talks with several organisations, having recently collaborated with Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust and General Workers' Union.

GEM actively supported and participated in the Women's Rights Foundation's initiative from its inception by signing and obtaining signatures for the judicial protest which acted as a catalyst for parliamentary talks on the morning after pill. GEM expressed its dissatisfaction in light of Parliament's recent conclusion that once licensed, the morning after pill can only be dispensed upon the presentation of a prescription.

"Requiring a prescription defeats the purpose of emergency contraception in a situation where time is of the essence. Due to social stigma or indeed in cases of rape, a patient may take longer to seek help and the added waiting period further decreases the efficiency of the morning after pill," the new NGO said in its first official statement.

"This may also give doctors the power to refuse to provide a prescription based on religious or moral beliefs, despite the fact that recent research has shown there is nothing to suggest that the morning after pill is abortive."

GEM will be holding its next event Emerġenza Għal Raġuni in Republic Street, Valletta on Sunday 16th October. A stand will be set up at 10am with the aim of raising awareness on the morning after pill issue as well as collecting signatures for a new petition (in addition to the online petition presented on Monday 10th October) in favour of selling the morning after pill over the counter. The aim is to send a message that the Women's Rights Foundation is not alone in wanting change.

A short walk will then take place at midday from St George Square to Parliament in hopes of attracting attention towards the issue at hand. Anyone attending is encouraged to bring placards and to share the hashtag: #EmergenzaGhalRaguni #EmergencyForAReason.