It’s highly likely that the actual number of women in Malta who obtained an abortion is much larger because this figure does not account for people who travelled abroad to get an abortion or those who sourced abortion medication through other means.

The pills were ordered through a telemedicine service run by Women on Web and Women Help Women. This number has been on a rapid rise since 2017 during which 93 pills were shipped.

“We urge our legislators to decriminalise abortion thus allowing anyone who might be concerned about the risk of complications to seek medical care without risk of being reported and prosecuted,” Stabile continued.

Abortion in Malta remains criminalised with a penalty of up to three years in prison faced by both doctors and women under all circumstances, except for when the woman’s life is at risk. A reform to the law made abortion harder to access in the latter cases because it obliges the woman to be seen by three consultants who must agree that her life is being threatened by the pregnancy.

Needing an abortion for different reasons, including getting pregnant through rape and/or incest, remain outlawed in Malta, making the country one of the strictest in the world when it comes to reproductive rights.

While many argue that the law is rarely enforced in Malta, Stabile had previously told Lovin Malta that there are two ongoing cases wherein women were charged for having an abortion after being reported by healthcare providers.

The pro-choice community in Malta is steadily growing, with annual protests calling for change attended by hundreds of people. However, both Malta’s main political parties – the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party – remain staunchly against decriminalisation. Politicians from both sides largely avoid joining the conversation since the topic is known to be contentious.

Meanwhile, it has often been said that there are several closeted politicians and MPs in favour of legalising abortion but too afraid of the ramifications of saying it.

Do you think abortion should be decriminalised?