Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1440009
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JANUARY 2022 NEWS 10. Russian threat A Russian invasion of Ukraine remains a credible threat going into 2022. In a pre-emptive strike, the EU has said it will be tough on Russia if it violates Ukraine's territorial integrity. 'Tough' in Brussels-speak means sanctions targeting individuals and Russian financial institutions. But dealing with Russia, on which the EU de- pends for its gas supplies, will test the bloc's cohesion. 11. Arnold Cassola Arnold Cassola will be the first in- dependent candidate of stature to contest the general elections in decades. The former Green Party leader will contest the 10th and 11th Districts. His chances of get- ting elected are next to none but his electoral performance will be one to look out for. 12. New Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud's term expired last year but the government and Opposition have failed to agree on a replacement. The Ombuds- man's appointment requires a two-thirds majority in parliament. The frosty relations between Rob- ert Abela and Bernard Grech sug- gest an agreement is only likely after the election. ISABEL STABILE MALTA may be the most liberal coun- try in Europe when it comes to LGBT+ rights and, now, cannabis, but it has the dubious honour of being the last country in the EU with a blanket ban on abortion. Yet, 2021 was a turning point for the pro-choice movement with the presentation in parliament of the first-ever bill to decriminalise abor- tion. Although this was squashed by our current legislature, it triggered a tsunami of reactions, both nationally and internationally. Thanks to telemedicine, which has revolutionised abortion care world- wide, at least one person each day in Malta accesses safe abortion pills without having to travel overseas. Clearly, criminalising abortions has not stopped women in Malta from having them. Although the pro-choice movement is making inroads especially among younger voters, there is still much to be done especially with regards to prevention. Comprehensive sexual education in schools and affordable, accessible contraception are still sore- ly lacking on this smallest EU country. Some pharmacists even refuse to sell emergency contraception especially to 16 and 17-year-olds. Some schools continue to expose children to gory anti-abortion propaganda that is far removed from what abortion is now- adays: the woman taking two pills at home. 2022 will see us continue our efforts to prevent as many abortions as possi- ble. We shall launch publications that focus on sexual health education for school children and their parents, and continue to make people aware of the full range of contraception options. Our pro-choice banners, leaflets and Abortion (information) and Contra- ception Clinic will be popping up all over Malta to deliver information on sexual and reproductive health and services. Many still wrongly believe that even discussing abortion and abortion services is illegal in Malta, and we will continue to tell students, healthcare providers and everyone who might need an abortion, that dis- cussing abortion is no crime. In its first year of operations, volun- teers for the Family Planning Adviso- ry Service (FPAS) helped almost 500 people in Malta get the information and care they need, whether related to contraception, the morning after pill, or abortion. We will continue to pro- vide this service free of charge in the year ahead. However, our services and campaigns are no substitute for the government doing what is right and ensuring that sexual education is de- livered, contraception is subsidised or free, and abortion is legal and accessi- ble. We hope 2022 will be the year we will see an updated sexual health poli- cy that addresses these glaring gaps in sexual and reproductive services. Abortion is very much a social re- ality in Malta and many people have had one, or know a loved one who has had an abortion. Would you be happy voting for someone who agrees with sending you or your loved one to pris- on over an abortion? In the run up to the next election we urge all voters to ask the would-be MPs who come knocking on their doors to answer a simple question: 'do you agree with criminalising abortion?' - and then decide how to vote. We believe that women and girls in Malta will eventually enjoy the same self-determination and reproductive control that women in other parts of Europe do. Abortion will be decriminalised and regulated as a health care service. Al- though this may take time, we trust our politicians will not abdicate their responsibilities and will do what is right to protect the health of women and girls. Gynaecologist and founding member of Doctors for Choice Malta Abortion will be tomorrow's cannabis