Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1372546
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 MAY 2021 NEWS bate in which conservative MP Edwin Vassallo is bound to steal the thunder from Grech. It's a discussion that is bound to bring the worms out of the woodwork, especially in the PN which harbours a stronger contingent of moral fanatics, but also in Labour as demon- strated by the outburst of One TV chairman Jason Micallef in which he lashed out at both Far- rugia's bill and his party's stance in favour of legalizing weed. This may be a major reason why both parties may be tempt- ed to stop the Bill from being discussed, by using their power in the House Business Commit- tee which sets the agenda. For both parties know that although the majority of Maltese are against abortion, strategic cate- gories of voters shun ultra-con- servative views that favour pu- nitive jail time for women in difficult circumstances. Rational voices on both sides would also fear the embarrass- ment caused by figures like Ed- win Vassallo. Yet debate on this issue can't be postponed indef- initely and ultimately reality is bound to catch up. And as hap- pened in Ireland, it will be poli- ticians who like Marlene Farru- gia were firmly against abortion but changed their views, who will make the necessary chang- es possible. And the PN would rather take some lessons from Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael (a fel- low member of the EPP) before it realises that the ground has shifted from beneath its heavy feet. New poll reveals compassion of Maltese towards plight of women who need access to abortion DESPITE Malta's national op- position to abortion, a majority of respondents to a Polar-Me- diatoday survey on abortion have confirmed they disagree with the Criminal Code's pro- visions that imprison a woman up to three years for procuring an abortion. A relative majority of 46.8% of respondents said they do not agree that women who ter- minate a pregnancy, should be imprisoned. The survey was carried out between Monday 26 April and Friday 30 April among a tar- geted sample of 651 respond- ents nationwide. Respondents were asked whether they agreed with the fact that women could be sen- tenced up to three years in jail for procuring a miscarriage or having an abortion. While 46.8% of respondents said they do not agree with the convic- tion of women who terminate a pregnancy, 14.7% said they did not know. 38.7% said they agreed with a prison convic- tion for women who terminate a pregnancy. The opinion against criminal sanctions for women was split equally across genders: 46.3% of women said they disagreed with women's liability for ter- minating a pregnancy, and likewise 43.9% of men; 35.3% of women and 36.1% of men said they agreed with the pris- on sentence. Amongst age groups, the de- mographic aged 18-35 were mostly against the mandatory prison sentence, with 65.7% against and 26.1% in favour. Women's Rights Foundation, Dr Andrea Dibben, chairperson "The results show without any doubt that the majority of Maltese people are com- passionate towards the plight of women who might need to access an abortion. They may not be in favour of abortion themselves but they do not want to condemn and judge women or send them to prison. This is a clear message to our government that the current situation that makes women criminals in the eyes of the law needs to change. The majori- ty of Maltese people want it to change. Through the presenta- tion of the Bill to decriminalise abortion by Marlene Farrugia, the government was presented with an excellent opportunity to finally have this discussion in parliament. We urge the government and our politi- cians not to squander this op- portunity." Dr Maria Pisani, Department of Youth & Community Studies, University of Malta "The results come as no sur- prise to me at all. I think we all understand that this is a complex topic, and for many it is a painful topic. The survey results demonstrate that the majority understand that the solution or response should not be punishment and shame. It is an issue that demands compassion, empathy and conversations and strategies grounded in respect." Doctors for Choice, Dr Chris Barbara "It is encouraging to see a majority of people in Mal- ta, and around two-thirds of those under 35, are against criminalising women to have abortion. Women should not face criminal sanctions for seeking healthcare. We urge politicians to take the decrim- inalisation of abortion forward in parliament, and show com- passion to all women and girls in our country." Parents for Choice, Daniela Attard, spokesperson "It shows a shift in perspec- tive. We will continue to strive for better sexual education and awareness about contra- ception, STDs, and prevent of pregnancies. Decriminalisa- tion is an important stepping stone as it will remove the fear women and young girls expe- rience when trying to access advice and services related to terminations." Students For Choice "Students for choice wel- come these results as they clearly demonstrate that the majority of younger people in Malta would like to repeal this law that discriminates against vulnerable women. We urge all politicians to sit up and listen to our voice." Malta Humanist Association "A woman who terminates a pregnancy is not a criminal; she is an autonomous human being, with rights – as recog- nised by the WHO, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and UN Hu- man Rights experts. MHA fully supports decriminalisation as a step towards a more humane approach to abortion in Mal- ta, although we recognise that some of our members have dif- fering views on abortion and thus we remain open to ration- al, respectful debate." Moviment Graffitti, Liza Caruana-Finkel "There is an understanding that penal sanctions are not the solution for healthcare matters. We all know and love people who have abor- tions, and it is compassion and support that is needed, not shaming and castigation. The current laws discriminate the most against those of us who are already in more dis- advantaged situations and do not have the means to travel abroad for a 'legal' abortion. Decriminalisation of abortion is important so that people who need and have abortions can have open discussions with family, friends, and healthcare professionals, without the fear of criminal punishment." Overall PL 2017 PN 2017 Didn't vote 2017 Male Female 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-Sec Tertiary Gozo Northern N Harbour S Eastern S Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 38.7% 46.9% 14.4% 39.9% 44.4% 15.7% 39.2% 46.3% 14.5% 32.4% 57.1% 10.5% 36.1% 44.0% 19.9% 35.4% 46.7% 17.9% 26.1% 65.8% 8.2% 38.9% 45.5% 15.7% 34.9% 36.5% 28.7% 44.3% 30.5% 25.2% 43.2% 26.9% 29.9% 38.9% 36.2% 25.0% 43.2% 48.2% 8.6% 23.7% 64.9% 11.4% 39.9% 40.5% 19.5% 33.3% 49.3% 17.5% 32.4% 49.6% 18.0% 37.1% 46.5% 16.5% 40.1% 36.2% 23.7% 35.0% 46.7% 18.3% Agree Disagree Do not know Do you agree with a woman being convicted to up to 3 years for terminating a pregnancy? Overall PL 2017 PN 2017 Didn't vote 2017 Male Female 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary 55.0% 30.2% 14.8% 58.4% 26.2% 15.5% 55.1% 29.7% 15.2% 43.3% 45.1% 11.7% 52.2% 29.0% 18.8% 52.6% 33.0% 14.4% 35.3% 52.8% 11.8% 56.1% 29.9% 14.0% 65.7% 16.1% 18.2% 55.6% 21.4% 23.0% 59.7% 15.6% 24.7% Agree Disagree Do not know Do you agree with a medical professional being convicted to up to 4 years for terminating a pregnancy? Abortion: do you agree with decriminalisation? Respondents were asked whether they agreed with the fact that women could be sentenced up to three years in jail for procuring a miscarriage or having an abortion