A group of activists this morning held signs in Triton Square with the message “I had an abortion.” The stunt, which comes just a week before the pro-choice rally on Saturday 30 September, served to shed light on the oppressive reality surrounding the topic of abortion in Malta. The stunt's aim is to also highlight how common, although illegal, abortion is, the activists said.
The pro-choice rally is organised annually by the Voice for Choice coalition to commemorate International Safe Abortion Day (28th September). The theme of this year’s event will be the stigma that still pervades our society in relation to the topic of abortion.
Abortion is still criminalised in Malta and anyone who has or helps with an abortion may face up to 3 years imprisonment. Just a few months ago, a woman was prosecuted for having an abortion after being reported to the police by her abusive partner. “The State helped perpetuate the cycle of violence,” the activists said.
Abortion bans and the criminalisation of women and pregnant people do not and will neverstop abortions from happening. Instead, they only create an environment of fear, perpetuate feelings of shame and guilt, and reinforce stigmatisation and social ostracism, the activists said.
“People who have abortions should not be judged or criminalised. All residents of Malta deserve to be treated with respect. We should be granted the autonomy to decide what is best for ourselves, our bodies, our health, and our lives,” the activists insisted. “We stand here in solidarity with people who do not feel safe and comfortable speaking publicly about their own abortion experiences,” the activists said.
The rally, which will take place on Saturday 30th September, starting at 4pm from Castille Square, will call for abortion to be decriminalised, normalised, destigmatised, and made available and accessible locally.
The 14 organisations in the Voice for Choice Coalition are:
Academics for Choice
aditus foundation
Doctors for Choice
Grandparents for Choice
Integra Foundation
Lawyers for Choice
Malta Humanists Association
Men Against Violence
MGRM
Moviment Graffitti
Parents for Choice
Students for Choice
Women’s Rights Foundation
Young Progressive Beings