Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514782
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JANUARY 2024 6 INTERVIEW 'Legislators cannot ignore abortion reality' MALTA'S strict anti-abortion law was changed last year to include an excep- tion if the woman's life is in danger. The change was significant because it was the first time in more than 100 years that the law criminalising abortion was amended. However, the final version of the amendment was different from the government's original proposal to also in- clude an exception if the woman's health was at risk. But while anti-abortion activists claimed victory, pro-choice activists were left hugely disappointed. Now, freshly-appointed government Whip Naomi Cachia says the legal change approved by parliament last year should not spell the end of the discussion on abortion. She avoids giving me a direct answer when I ask her whether the time has come for abortion to be legalised. But Cachia does insist abortion is a reality that legis- lators should not ignore. "There are a lot of things that we have to discuss because it hurts me to see the State abandon women at a sensitive moment when they order abortion pills online and self-administer… as legislators we have the responsibility to continue speaking on subjects that are uncomfortable and sensi- tive," she tells me. Cachia is the first woman to occupy the role of Whip in parliament's history. She feels this appointment should not be un- derestimated in the aftermath of a nation- al debate to encourage more female par- ticipation in politics. But the young MP is under no illusion as to the long road ahead to change mentali- ties and perceptions. The political scene is still too dominated by men, she tells me. "With more women in parliament, even the style of doing politics will change… the role of Whip is often associated with someone who can intimidate others and for sure that is not a characteristic anyone can attribute to me," she says. Naomi Cachia is the first woman to occupy the role of Whip and the MP, who was elected for the first time to parliament in 2022, believes this is a significant development. She sits down with KARL AZZOPARDI to discuss the challenges women face in politics, abortion and the Prime Minister's outreach to errant MPs. With more women in parliament, even the style of doing politics will change