Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1372546
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 MAY 2021 OPINION Still a long way from full inclusion even from the perspective of those who are trying to save un- born lives… the law, as it stands today, just doesn't work. There is plenty of statistical ev- idence that anywhere up to 400 Maltese women a year seek to abort an unwanted pregnancy; and it cannot be a coincidence that this figure is (proportionally speaking, of course) considera- bly higher than the correspond- ing statistic in other European countries where abortion is not only 'decriminalised', but per- fectly legal. On top of that, we also have to look at the circumstances under which all those unborn foetuses are annually aborted. The lucky women who have means of their own (or access to robust fami- ly network structures) have the luxury of seeking their abortions in clinics overseas. The rest, however…? Mercifully, we are living in an age when the options at their disposal are infinitely safer than they ever used to be in the past. I think it is reasonable to assume that most clandestine abortions, these days, are achieved through pills available for purchase over the Internet. It is no longer a case (as it was, just a few years ago) where the less fortunate women had no option but to re- sort to a 'back-street abortion'… under circumstances that were famously likened to a 'butcher's shop', by a gynaecologist quoted on Xarabank in the 1990s. But still… it remains a decision taken by women on their own, without legal access to any prop- er medical advice. For let's face it: if the law stipulates a three- year prison sentence for women terminating a pregnancy… you can hardly expect Maltese wom- en to be very keen on confiding in a gynaecologist, or even their family GP. No: the way things stand today, those women are left entirely to their own devices, to come up with their own solutions to med- ical problems. And that's called 'self-medication'… which, as any doctor will confirm, can be high- ly (but HIGHLY) dangerous. And if you don't believe me (as you probably shouldn't: I'm not exactly a medical professional, am I?) then the least you could do is listen to doctors such as former PD chairman Anthony Buttigieg… who, unlike myself, is actually against abortion on principle. "By decriminalising abortion, it will make it easier for those women, many in a state of pan- ic or psychological distress at the time, to seek advice and use those services. They will not if they are afraid that by doing so they risk being criminally pros- ecuted […] And if they do, many will suffer psychological issues that can only be addressed if they can come forward to dis- cuss them…." Seriously, though: can anyone out there really argue against that… without resorting to in- stant, hysterical non-sequiturs such as 'abortion is murder', 'not in my name', 'how dare you', etc., etc.? There are, of course, many other issues to contend with. In those (admittedly rare) instances where an abortion may be con- sidered a medical necessity, for health reasons… Maltese doctors are often left with no option but to wait until a pregnant women's life really is in danger, before ac- tually intervening. Surely, that cannot be right… Ultimately, then, all our abor- tion ban really achieves in prac- tice is to drive the entire practice underground – and thus expose women in Malta to serious, pos- sibly life-threatening danger – without, it must be said, ever saving a single unborn life. That, in a nutshell, is the sit- uation that Marlene Farrugia's private member's bill actually intends to address, once and for all. So yes, of course I can only agree with her, and fully support her initiative. My only concern, however, is… is she really the right person to be piloting this reform, all things considered? And – much more importantly – will it really work in practice? I don't know, myself; but I guess we'll find out soon enough… THE International Day Against Homopho- bia, Transphobia and Biphobia, observed on 17th May, commemorates the 1990 decision of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove homosexuality from the list of men- tal disorders. This year's chosen theme for the Inter- national Day Against Homophobia, Trans- phobia and Biphobia is 'Together: Resist- ing, Supporting, Healing!'. This theme was chosen in view of the recent challenges the world faced in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic This international day aims to celebrate diversity and to raise awareness of the human rights of LGB- TIQ+ people. Although Malta has passed several impor- tant laws and has made significant leaps in LGBTIQ+ rights, discriminatory percep- tions on LGBTIQ+ persons are still a real- ity. Homophobia and intolerance towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender per- sons are still widespread in our societies. Many of these persons are still suffering from exclusion, discrimination and vio- lence on grounds of their sexual orienta- tion or gender identity. Indeed, 20% of the Maltese still disagree that gay, lesbian and bisexual people should have the same rights as heterosexual peo- ple, while 80% believe there is something wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex. As stated by EU Commissioner for Equal- ity, Helena Dalli, "We are still a long way away from the full inclusion and accept- ance that LGBTIQ people deserve." Hence, more efforts are needed to ensure that every person is fully respected regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. In November 2020, the European Com- mission presented its first-ever EU Strate- gy for LGBTIQ Equality. The Strategy sets out a series of targeted actions around four main pillars, focusing on: tackling discrim- ination, ensuring safety, building inclusive societies, and leading the call for LGBTIQ equality around the world. Moreover, the Strategy proposes extend- ing the list of EU crimes to cover hate crime, including homophobic hate speech and hate crime, and to bring forward the legislation on the mutual recognition of parenthood in cross-border situations. It also ensures that LGBTIQ concerns are well reflected in EU policy-making, so that LGBTIQ people will have equal opportuni- ties to prosper and fully participate in so- ciety. In Malta, the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy & Action Plan (2018-2022) was formulated by the Human Rights and Integration Directo- rate (HRID) in close partnership with the LGBTIQ Consultative Council to imple- ment the necessary measures to guarantee substantive equality for LGBTIQ persons in practice. Since 2015, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has al- so been empowered by Chapter 456 of the Laws of Malta to investigate complaints of alleged discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics in em- ployment, education and vocational train- ing as well as by banks and financial insti- tutions. In this regard, the NCPE has taken various initiatives to ensure adherence to the law by investigating complaints on the above mentioned grounds, organising con- ferences and awareness-raising campaigns, and implementing EU co-funded projects. In this context the NCPE, in partnership with Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC), is currently implementing an EU co-funded project entitled 'Empowerment for Diver- sity' (E4D) which will run until 31st March 2022. This project focuses on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics and gender expression and seeks to address the national societal and cultural impacts which have resulted from the recent legislative advancements through awareness-raising initiatives, ca- pacity building and various analytical ac- tivities. The NCPE's E4D Project Launch Confer- ence, which took place on 27th April 2021, served to kick start this work and inform the general public, relevant stakeholders and target groups about the aims, objec- tives, expected results and the initiatives to be undertaken through this project. The International Day against Homopho- bia, Transphobia and Biphobia is a world- wide celebration of sexual and gender di- versities that highlights the developments achieved in this sphere. This day also marks our commitment to safeguard equality in the everyday reality of LGBTIQ+ persons. Renée Laiviera is Equality Commissioner www.ncpe.org.mt Renée Laiviera We are still a long way away from the full inclusion and acceptance that LGBTIQ people deserve.