Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524298
I believe more work needs to be done with respect to IVF. Two areas for evaluation are surrogacy for health reasons where implantation in the mother is impossible, and legislation to regulate the adoption of frozen ova. Two complex topics which necessitate several legal considerations. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JULY 2024 6 OPINION Parliament should listen: A case for ad hoc committees on abortion and surrogacy IN recent years, Malta has experienced significant advancements in civil liber- ties, civil rights, and the legal framework surrounding in-vitro fertilization (IVF). However, there are still several important issues that deserve proper discussion and potential implementation. Women's health and women's rights are topical subjects. I am proud to have imple- mented policies which positively impacted women while in office. The introduction of free childcare, tapering of benefits for those entering the workforce, and in-work benefits per child for low-income workers were all intended to support families and encourage women's participation in the economy. In 2014, I also piloted pension reform that benefited not only pensioners, but al- so widows, and individuals of retiring age who lacked sufficient National Insurance contributions, primarily women. Follow- ing the ratification of the Istanbul Conven- tion, which I pushed through parliament, several bills were passed addressing vio- lence against women. While social struc- tures for victims and perpetrators have been enhanced, there is still significant work to be done in this area. In my role as an MP shadowing Health in 2010, I was part of an ad-hoc committee, along with two other MPs from the govern- ment side, tasked with proposing IVF leg- islation. After extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including Maltese and foreign experts, we unanimously presented a way forward for the introduction of an IVF bill. However, the Nationalist govern- ment at the time chose only to introduce a highly conservative bill, and IVF was not made available in public hospitals. It was only after a change in government in 2013 that the IVF law was amended to include all of the recommendations put forward by the ad-hoc committee. Subsequently, IVF was then introduced free of charge through the national health service. I believe more work needs to be done with respect to IVF. Two areas for evalua- tion are surrogacy for health reasons where implantation in the mother is impossible, and legislation to regulate the adoption of frozen ova. Two complex topics which ne- cessitate several legal considerations. A parliamentary ad-hoc committee is of- ten set up to specifically address and eval- uate more thoroughly a sensitive issue be- fore presenting its findings to parliament. The final document may also include rec- ommendations on legislation and imple- mentation. In the area of reproductive health, it is crucial to prioritise a holistic approach to sex education in all schools. While some argue for abstinence, the reality is that a significant percentage of individuals are sexually active at a young age. We must educate students on safe sex practices, not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies but also to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. The availability of free vaccination against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a positive step in reducing the risk of cervical cancer, but other sexually trans- mitted diseases are on the rise, and early detection and treatment are essential. The World Health Organisation, the Eu- ropean Union and the Council of Europe promote safe abortion as an integral aspect of women's health and women's rights. On the sensitive topic of abortion, I hereby refrain from expressing my personal opin- ion, as all members of parliament should listen more rather than impose their views. However, just as we were pragmatic in our approach on the ad-hoc committee for IVF, I believe it is time to establish a similar parliamentary ad-hoc committee regarding abortion. This would enable the correct framework and processes within which the legislators will listen to the people's opinions, as well as those of both Maltese and foreign ex- perts. It is only then, that this committee should present a comprehensive report to parliament, based on a well-informed and unbiased perspective, before any decisions are made regarding possible amendments to legislation. Women's health and women's rights go far beyond such specific issues. Education, prevention, screening, and proper treat- ment, including access to innovative and effective therapies, should be prioritised. While some conditions affect all genders equally, some illnesses – for reasons both known and unknown – are more likely to occur in women. Most notable amongst these are various forms of cancer, car- dio-circulatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, post-natal depression, dementia, loneliness, and psychosomatic pain, are also more predominant amongst women. Mental health is being prioritised and recognised as an area needing in- creased attention and resources. It is time to thoroughly evaluate all ser- vices provided and identify areas for im- provement in women's health and wom- en's rights. Based on my past experience, I believe the Labour government should be the driving force in promoting these essential advancements, and others will eventually follow. Michael Farrugia is a Labour MP and former health minister Michael Farrugia