Activists, allies, and members of the general public marched through the main streets of Valletta in a rally organised by the Voice for Choice coalition to commemorate International Safe Abortion Day.

This year’s event focused on the theme of abortion stigma, a statement by the organisers said. They explained that there are so many people who have had abortions in Malta, that everyone must know someone close who has had an abortion and if they don’t, it is because of the unfortunate stigma that still exists in Malta. The person you love is probably afraid to share their story with those around them, they said.

Within the crowd, various placards with messages highlighting Malta’s abortion reality were spotted. These drew attention to Malta’s restrictive and harsh abortion laws, the stigma faced by people who have abortions and those who support them, the fact that abortion is common, among others.

The organisations said that this year they chose to walk in Republic Street to deliver a clear message that they will continue to be vocal in favour of choice and that they will continue to fight so that women are no longer treated as second-class citizens.

Voice for Choice calls 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