Voice for Choice activists stood in front of Parliament on Monday "revolted" by some of the things that were said by some politicians over the past weeks.

"The quality of political debate in our country is already low, but somehow, some of our parliamentarians managed to drag it down to even lower. The misogyny, the disrespect, the mockery of a woman who lived through a terrible experience caused by our laws is nothing short of disgraceful. The law that is being debated is not only about Andrea Prudente. The proposed amendment is about protecting the health and lives of all women in this country. It is about protecting the lives of our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, our family members, our friends and colleagues, women we share our everyday lives with. By mocking Prudente, they ridiculed every woman and girl in our country. Again, this is shameful."

Bill 28 is nothing but the very basic recognition that women's lives matter, Voice for Choice said, "even if only in very dangerous circumstances. Opposing the bill or demanding that it be watered down, is to show disdain for women in this country and throw them under a bus for short term political gain."

"What is sad is that even if the bill is implemented in its proposed form, Malta's fame of being the worst country in Europe in how it treats pregnant women will be untarnished. Victims of rape and incest will still be forced to carry their pregnancies to term, women will still be forced to give birth to children just to watch them die and hundreds of our sisters and our daughters will still be criminalised for buying pills online and self-managing their abortions. That is something that some in this building are proud of."

"We state again: Voting for the bill, as it is with no tweaks, is the very minimum our parliamentarians can do for women in this country. We call on the government not to water down what is already very minimal. We also call on our opposition MPs to find in themselves a grain of love and respect for women and girls living on our island and vote in favour of the law."

"Show us that you care about the women in this country - not only through words but also through action. Vote Yes on Bill 28. It's the very least you can do."