Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1290275
5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWS GOZO Qala Xagħra UK Residency Card Application Dates Identity Malta Agency will be reaching out to all potential beneficiaries who held a valid residence document on 1 st February 2020. Applicants would need to fill in the form and submit a copy of the documents requested to the Expatriates Unit in Valley Road, Msida on the dates indicated in the letter that they will be receiving (excluding public holidays). It is important to present this letter when applying for the new residency document. Applicants residing in Gozo should apply at the eResidence Unit in St. Francis Square, Victoria Gozo. Applicants will be issued with a 10 year residence document once the status is confirmed. 2 1 ZONE 10 14/09/2020 - 02/10/2020 St Julian's, Sliema ZONE 11 05/10/2020 - 09/10/2020 Naxxar, Għargħur, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq ZONE 12 12/10/2020 - 23/10/2020 Swieqi, Pembroke, Paceville ZONE 13 26/10/2020 - 31/10/2020 Mosta, Attard, Mġarr Applicants will be notified by post with the exact submission dates T: +356 2590 4000 W: www.identitymalta.com E (Malta): brexit.ima@gov.mt E (Gozo): eresidence-brexit.mgoz@gov.mt - - 09/10/2020 06/11/2020 22/09/2020 05/10/2020 ZONE 14 November 2020 Birkirkara, Balzan, Iklin, Lija ZONE 15 November 2020 Marsaskala, Fgura LAURA CALLEJA 87 women in Malta have requested help from the Abortion Support Network (ASN) to terminate their pregnancy in 2020 – surpassing last year's figure of 75. The statistics suggest an increased de- mand in terminations during the COV- ID-19 pandemic after flights to countries where hospitals offer abortions were shut down. ASN is an NGO that offers information and contacts for people who wish to ex- plore options on pregnancy. Founder Mara Clarke told MaltaToday she was confident that over 50% of the women who contacted the network in 2020, ultimately went through with the abortion. Clarke said the majority who contact- ed ASN had already decided what they planned to do regarding their pregnancy. "If they're weighing their options, trying to decide if they should keep the baby or give it up for adoption, they more likely to reach out to a family doctor, a par- ent or family member, or other groups already in Malta. When they contact us, it's usually because they need financial support, or they want information on how to access an abortion." The COVID-19 shutdown in Malta laid bare the barriers for women to have ac- cess to abortion services, with more peo- ple reaching out to activists and chari- ties, and seeking medical abortion pills online. Clarke said that between March and August 2020, 71 women had reached out to ASN for assistance with terminating a pregnancy. Since its launch in Malta, an average of eight women per month made contact with ASN in 2020. At the height of the pandemic between March and July, when airports were closed and travel was severely limited, 62 women reached out to ASN. "I think one of the reasons the figures have gone up is because of the pandem- ic, because before, women who had the means to get on a plane and have an abor- tion, would just do so – however – now everyone in Malta and subsequently Eu- rope, knows what it feels like to be poor, or a migrant, and not have the means to just get on a plane and have an abortion. It made women collectively understand the struggles of others," Clarke said. Clarke said many of those who contact- ed ASN during the pandemic request- ed information on purchasing abortion pills. "Many phoned us panicking be- cause the post was slow, and they were worried it wouldn't arrive in time – that was during the time when postal services had been backed up," she said. Figures released by the UK government show that in 2019, 83 Maltese women had an abortion – but it is difficult to get a clear picture of just how many women go aboard every year because countries like Spain, France and Italy do not re- lease similar figures. Clarke said from the data ASN has, the age range of women contacting the net- work is between 14 to 46 years. Abortion Support Network says COVID-19 saw a surge in women requesting assistance to terminate pregnancies Surge in requests for abortion during pandemic Mara Clarke: "Women who had the means to get on a plane and have an abortion, would just do so... now everyone knows what it feels like to be poor, or a migrant, and not have the means to just get on a plane and have an abortion."