THEL right to abortion is in danger: that’s what he claims Women on the web, a non-governmental organization that works to support women in accessing abortion all over the world. And what is being prepared to an increase in requests for help from Italy, following the law that will bring Pro-life groups into the clinics. Figures who, it must be said, are already present in the clinics, but who, according to feminist associations, would gain strength from this new declaration from the Government.
Women on web: the right to abortion in Italy is in danger
After reading this news, the international organization that helps women by also sending the drugs necessary for voluntary termination of pregnancy to their homes, turned its attention to the Bel Paese.
We know itthe right to abortion has never stopped being a burning issue over the years. However, there was a specific event that marked a heated revival of the debate, even at a European level: the annulment in June 2022 of the Roe vs Wade ruling in the United States. From that moment on, the perception held by many was that that right, which seemed to have been won, had been called into question.
A fundamental right to be enshrined in the Constitution
A feeling that isn’t so far-fetched, given that after a short time France has included abortion as a fundamental right in its Constitution. And that the EU parliament has also adopted a resolution to push member states to include the right to abortion among the fundamental rights of the European charter of fundamental rights. An important step, albeit merely formal, given that the approval of all member states is required. But Malta and Poland don’t even think about it, and Italy is now also doubted.
The right to abortion is increasingly limited, the Meloni Government finances Pro-life associations in clinics (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Women’s March)
It is a mistake to make the consultants hostile
Returning, however, to Women on web, the association is convinced that requests for support from Italy will increase and so it is already preparing: «The consultants – writes the organization – they are established as primary healthcare facilities where women go once they discover an unwanted pregnancy. Making these spaces hostile environments for these women will multiply the stress and stigma that they already experience. It will negatively affect the quality of care they receive and ultimately prevent some from accessing local abortion services.”
The right to abortion in Italy is greatly hindered
According to the association, in fact, it would be better not to add further obstacles to abortion, given that in Italy there are already many, starting from difficulty in accessing pharmacological abortion in clinics which, despite the updated guidelines of the Ministry of Health, is guaranteed only in 3 regions out of 20, up to the hospitals where the majority of doctors are objectors.
«From our almost 20 years of experience in the abortion field and from listening to thousands of personal stories – comments Venny Ala-Siurua, executive director of Women on Web – we have learned that those who find themselves faced with an unwanted pregnancy have no religion or political opinions. With this decision the Italian Senate goes against all women, all families, its own people and clearly against high quality health services and human rights standards.”
A right is never consolidated forever
Although it is now formally guaranteed in all member countries, the right to terminate a pregnancy is still subject to numerous barriers in Europe. Barriers that undermine women’s sexual and reproductive rights, which are first and foremost human rights, as the Council of Europe also states. With negative effects on their health, their social and economic position in the world, and also on their dignity, autonomy and ability to make decisions.
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