Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1080741
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 FEBRUARY 2019 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The project has raised con- cerns among environmentalists over the volume of excavation waste that will be created and the impact on virgin land at its entry points in both Malta and Gozo. And it is thought that the Gozo tunnel will produce one million cubic metres of ex- cavated rock, studies show. Mercieca has defended the tunnel project, insisting it would improve the quality of life of Gozitans because they would be able to benefit from greater opportunities. "Gozitans do not need fa- vours, as has been the case until now… The tunnel will create a level playing field," he said. Mercieca explained that the tenders for the tunnel will be published later on this year and the selected bidder will design, build, maintain and operate the tunnel for the period of the concession. He insisted the investment for the project will come from the private sector and the money will be recouped through tolls. At the time Mercieca gave no idea as to the payment that would be requested for cross- ing the channel via the new tunnel. Gozo tunnel project In her shoes, reproductive rights activists' fashion coup TWO of Malta's most well-known female activists have joined forces to launch an awareness campaign, #inhershoes, that focuses on the challenges faced by Maltese women in the face of the blanket abortion ban. Roccamore and Francesca Fenech Conti have created the "Francesca boot" in aid of women's rights NGOs in Malta. In cooperation with The Women's Rights Foundation, Francesca is fighting for the need for proper sex education, free contraception and other reproductive rights in Malta, the last country in the EU with a total ban on abortion. Lifestyle blogger Line Young Peteri, co-owner of the popular Roccamore fashion brand, and Fenech Conti, founder of the Facebook portal Women for Women, will be using the campaign to attract funds for the Women's Rights Foundation, an organisation in Malta that focuses on informing, educating and empowering women about issues concerning their legal rights. "We are proud to announce this new campaign, that has the aim to fight for women in Malta, who even in this age and time do not have full control over their own bodies," Line told website Maltamum.com. Malta is the last country in Europe where a woman can go to prison if she gets an abortion, even though she might be a victim of rape, incest or she's mentally unstable. "For me it's a lack of empathy and deep religious conditioning. I too, being brought up as a Catholic, was anti-choice for many years. That was until I travelled, spoke to, read up about the realities faced by many women who had no choice but to go through with an unplanned pregnancy," Fenech Conti said. "It's a lack of empathy and deep religious conditioning. I too, being brought up as a Catholic, was anti-choice for many years" Francesca Fenech Conti (left) with Roccamore co-owner and lifestyle blogger Line Young Peteri Request for Expression of Interest Invitation to submit proposals for the lease/emphyteusis and commercialisation of the ex Raes Discotheque site in Pembroke, Malta EOI document to be collected from Ċentru Nazzjonali Laburista, Triq Mile End, Ħamrun Monday to Friday 9.00 till 17.00 Closing date for Submissions 29th March 2019