‘At First She Was Adamantly Against Abortion’: Activists Explain Yesterday’s Valletta Conversations
Pro-choice activists sat in Valletta and invited the public to engage in conversations about abortion yesterday, in an attempt to “break down the binary of us vs them”.
Activist and member of Young Progressive Beings (YPB) Francesca Zammit explained to Lovin Malta that the NGO was brainstorming action ahead of its upcoming rally and thought to invite the public to meet the activists for a conversation.
“We are too often misconstrued and misrepresented, when the reality is that we are reasonable people who believe that Malta should have reproductive healthcare laws in line with the EU’s recommendations. After all, abortion pills are on the WHO’s list of essential medicines, people in Malta should not have to leave the country or risk prison in order to access the care they deserve.”
The event, organised by Voice for Choice (V4C), offered a welcoming and open space for participants to share their concerns. Rather than viewing the abortion debate as a simple black-and-white issue, the activists encouraged people to consider each story on its own merits.
Zammit explained that many people the activists encounter are adamantly against abortion but soon start to change their tune after some discussion.
“Yesterday, I had a conversation with a doctor who accepted tea and a biscuit but refused a flyer. She said abortion was always wrong. Soon after she told me that medically, this [abortion] should be a common procedure if there is a severe or fatal anomaly.”
“As we continued talking, she mentioned that she personally believes that abortion should also be allowed in instances of rape, even though she noted that her religion forbade it in this instance.”
“Another activist had an encounter with a family that was strolling out of Valletta with a baby,” Francesca continued.
“Although they took the flyer, the grandfather pointed to the baby to indicate that they couldn’t possibly agree with abortion. The baby’s mother replied to him saying that there can be particular reasons why people have abortions. It seemed to be a conversation they had had in the past.”
“Many women who have abortions are already mothers at the time, and it is not contradictory to have children and support abortion rights.”
Following the success of this event, V4C is now discussing the possibility of repeating this activity in the squares of towns and villages across Malta. If anyone has any questions or concerns, you can contact the organisation on [email protected].
This weekend, activists will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Voice for Choice’s inaugural rally in 2019. The event will feature two renoqned international activists: Ailbhe Smyth, the esteemed academic who spearheaded the campaign for abortion rights in Ireland, and Rebecca Gomperts, a pioneering doctor from the Netherlands and founder of Women on Waves and Women on Web.
This year’s theme is ‘Action not Words’.
“Politicians, including the Prime Minister, have been mentioning the need for a discussion on abortion. So far, these have not translated into any action. Meanwhile, the hundreds of women in Malta who have abortions every year continue to live in fear, under a law that condemns them. It is time to move to concrete action that shows that the state truly believes in women’s rights,” the event description reads.
“As the Voice for Choice coalition, we understand that the cultural and religious values that shape our society make the discussion on abortion a sensitive one. We believe that through open dialogue, based on respect and empathy, we can reach solutions that respect the integrity of women in Malta.”
he event will begin with a march from Castille Square in Valletta, at 5pm. After marching through Valletta, participants will gather at La Vallette Square.
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