Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1372546
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 MAY 2021 INTERVIEW a public diversion from other issues; or as a form of 'atten- tion seeking'… Let me put it this way. We have a narcissistic government, that always seems to think everything in the world revolves around itself. They don't stop to think that I, as a professional person, also meet women in my clinic all the time: women who are left to cope with all the pres- sures of COVID, for instance. Because in times of crisis, it is always women who are made to bear the full brunt. Not only are they stuck at home [during lockdown], like everyone else; but they have to take care of the children, on top of all their other responsibilities… because the reality is that women always have to perform; no matter how psychologically traumatized they are. Many of them end up victims of domestic violence, because there will be tensions in the home, etc. But no. Government doesn't look at any of that; it always turns everything into an issue about itself. But to me, this is not an issue about government. This is an issue about women. And I began thinking, how can I start a discussion about wom- en's issues? I've already men- tioned education and health… but there is also need for a prop- er welfare programme, so that women who get pregnant don't end up on the poverty line. Because no matter what the law says: it is still a fact that those women can lose their jobs. Some employers still dismiss their pregnant employees… and in any case, you could have a difficult pregnancy which keeps you from going to work anyway. You can't exactly 'go to work', if you're throwing up all the time... These are the facts, no matter what people say. So my inten- tion was to 'shock the system', and force the country to finally confront all these women's is- sues – because they're all relat- ed. And it has to start from some- where. That's why I chose to start with the issue of decrim- inalization. Because there's no point in saying: 'no to abortion, no to abortion'… when the re- ality is that women can simply travel abroad to get one any- way. If we're going to be serious about this, we have to provide women with all the options – here in Malta. It's only when women have all the options available, that they can make an informed decision… By 'all the options', do you also mean the option to terminate a pregnancy here in Malta? Because if so, you've gone slightly beyond mere 'decrimi- nalisation' there. You seem to arguing in favour of legaliza- tion of abortion… Not in the bill I presented… No, but in the way you're ar- guing now. Let me put it you to directly: do you agree that women should have the right to terminate a pregnancy? I agree that we should always try to save lives. I agree that we should do everything in our power, so that women don't feel they have to resort to abortion. And I also agree that abortion is, in itself, a tragedy. Even women who have abortions, agree with this. It is a tragedy for every- one concerned. When people tell me, 'but three-quarters of the country disagree with abor- tion'… my response is: 'I should think that everyone would dis- agree.' Even pro-choice people disagree with abortion; in the sense that it is not something they actually want to happen. But the argument is that: if you really need to do it… it should be there, so that you can do it in a decent, medical way: so you don't have to traumatize your- self in the process; so you don't have to end up doing it yourself, on your own, with a coat-hang- er. So my argument remains: yes, by all means let us work towards reducing the demand for abor- tion. But this can only be done through education, and proper health services. It certainly can- not be done the way we're try- ing to it right now: by sweeping everything under the carpet… where it will only happen more, not less. On that subject, statistics sug- gest that between 300 and 400 Maltese women a year seek abortions. Ironically, this is proportionally higher than countries where the practice is fully legal. How do you account for that, yourself? It is no surprise to me. And I'll tell you why. If, instead of driv- ing it underground, we offered those women proper solutions… for instance, by reassuring them; explaining to them that there are other options… and above all, by providing structured sup- port services: so they don't feel they have to give up absolutely everything, to have a baby… I am convinced we could save a lot of those unborn lives. But the reality is that those women don't even come any- where close to seeking advice. Because if they approach some- one who is – excuse my lan- guage – a bastard… they could end up getting reported. And this sort of thing happens here: we even had an MP suggesting in parliament that pregnant women should not be allowed to travel. I was flabbergasted… This is precisely the type of fundamentalism that opened my eyes to the reality of the sit- uation… At the same time, however, there are practicalities in- volved. As an experienced pol- itician, you are surely aware that the two main parties will never support the bill you pre- sented this week. So… why present it at all, if you know full well that it would only be shot down (as, in fact, happened)? When you present a bill in Par- liament, it is partly in the hope that the issue will be discussed; but partly also so that the polit- ical parties show their true col- ours to the people. And if nothing else, the bill I presented provoked a tsuna- mi of discussion – which was needed: because if we are going to address the chaos and may- hem that exists, there has to be a bit of disorder. It also un- leashed a tsunami of emotion – as it well should. And I was all along aware that, by presenting this bill, I would be accused of 'promoting abortion'. That is always the danger of discussing abortion in this country. The spin doctors immediately spun it that way… to turn me into a 'witch'. I've been called a 'dev- il', a 'demon'… all that remains is for them to burn me at the stake, really. But it doesn't matter. I'm a public person; and I'm thick- skinned… because I have to be. But that's just an aside. The fact is, my intention in presenting this bill was to kick-start a na- tional discussion… and that aim has already been achieved. But it was to also to expose the two political parties, insofar as where they really stand with regard to women's issues. And that aim, too, has been achieved. Just look at how the two par- ties actually responded. The PN came out with a simple 'no' – 'we will never agree with de- criminalisation'. Labour, on the other hand… [pause]… you have to laugh, really. What was their response? That my bill 'chokes the discussion'. What rubbish! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life. It is their own attitude that 'chokes dis- cussion' in this country… Because let's face it: neither party wants to take a stand. All they really want to do is keep using abortion as a political football; so that every time there is a serious corruption scandal in this country… they simply dangle the 'abortion carrot', al- ienate the public, and just car- ry on doing whatever they like. So obviously, they don't care about women's issues. They're not even remotely interested in women, at the end of the day. After all, the bill I present- ed was only to decriminalize abortion… so that it no longer remains a crime punishable by imprisonment. And they don't even want to discuss that. So even if my bill doesn't lead to an immediate change; at least, it will start a discussion that might lead to change further down the line. And at least… it shows up our two main political parties up for what they really are, once and for all. "It has to start from somewhere. That's why I chose to start with the issue of decriminalization. Because there's no point in saying: 'no to abortion, no to abortion'… when the reality is that women can simply travel abroad to get one anyway"