Malta’s LGBTQ+ Progress Contrasts With strict⁤ Abortion Laws

‍ Updated June 28, 2025

Belle de Jong’s 2021 public abortion account on Maltese national television broke⁢ a⁢ barrier, marking her ⁢as the first woman to do so in the country. The response underscored⁣ the contentious nature⁤ of reproductive healthcare in Malta, ‍a staunchly Catholic nation with the European Union’s most stringent abortion laws.

De Jong, a pro-choice activist⁤ and journalist originally from the Netherlands, received supportive messages from Maltese women who had undergone ⁤or considered abortions.Though, ⁤she also⁣ faced harsh criticism, labeled a “baby killer” and confronted with comments about contraception.

Her own abortion occurred while visiting‍ the Netherlands after her birth control‍ failed. she ⁢highlights the significant obstacles ⁤Maltese women encounter due to ⁣the country’s restrictive laws. These include fear of ⁢government surveillance, lack of information about abortion⁣ pills, financial burdens for traveling abroad for surgical procedures, and social isolation.

Malta’s Contrasting Positions

Malta’s⁣ progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights sharply contrasts it’s abortion policies. The ⁣nation has consistently ranked⁤ first in the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s ranking of European countries for a decade. Since 2013, Malta has legalized same-sex civil partnerships, equal marriage ⁤rights, adoption rights for same-sex couples, ⁢banned conversion ⁣therapy, and allowed self-ID for transgender individuals.

Despite these advancements, Malta’s near-total‍ abortion ban⁣ remains. ⁤terminations‍ are criminalized, even ⁣in cases of rape⁢ or⁣ fetal ⁣anomalies. Experts suggest limited political will to change this,⁣ as most of the population opposes ⁣abortion.

Robert Attard, community outreach coordinator for the Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement, attributes the progress in queer rights to years ⁢of activism and a shift away ‍from conservative governments. He notes that societal perceptions have evolved alongside legislation,⁣ with increasing support for equal marriage and adoption.

Attard acknowledges⁣ that trans people and LGBTQ+ asylum‍ seekers still face discrimination.⁣ His organization is ⁤part⁣ of the Voice for Choice coalition, linking queer and reproductive ⁢rights through the concept of bodily autonomy. ‍He emphasizes that abortion remains a sensitive topic, particularly given Malta’s strong family orientation and the anti-abortion⁢ messaging directed at young children.

The Centrality of the Family

Marceline⁢ Naudi, an associate professor at the University ⁢of Malta, also points to the importance of family in Maltese⁣ society as ‍a key factor ⁢in the abortion debate. While LGBTQ+ rights are not seen as directly ⁤threatening the conventional family structure, ⁢abortion is perceived ⁢as doing so, with the anti-choice movement considering “unborn children”‍ as part of the family.

Naudi credits Helena Dalli, former Minister for Equality‍ and current European Commissioner for ‍Equality, with driving ⁤the LGBTQ+ rights policies forward. She notes a stronger political will for these ⁤advancements compared to abortion rights.

De Jong believes that expanding rights⁣ like⁣ equal marriage were less controversial and provided politicians with a positive⁣ image.

Malta slightly eased its⁤ abortion ban‍ in 2023 following the case of ‍a U.S.⁢ tourist who⁢ required a lifesaving abortion ⁣in Spain. The amended legislation allows⁢ abortions only when the pregnant person’s life is at risk, requiring consent from three specialists.

Naudi views this amendment as part ⁣of a⁣ broader right-wing backlash against women’s and minority⁣ rights.

Dr.Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network Foundation in Malta, argues that ⁢the country’s pro-LGBTQ+ and pro-life⁤ stances are not contradictory. She believes both are rooted in the belief that every ⁤human life has value and deserves ⁢dignity, including both LGBTQ+ individuals and unborn children.

The european Union Agency for Essential Rights (FRA) has warned⁣ of democratic backsliding and attacks on fundamental rights across Europe, emphasizing the importance of respecting LGBTQ+ rights as a measure of a society’s democratic strength.

More Women Taking Abortion Pills

Despite the ban, women in Malta are terminating pregnancies, with approximately ⁤600 abortions performed using⁤ abortion pills last year, according to Prof. Isabel Stabile ⁢of the University of malta. Stabile is a member of ⁣Doctors for Choice,⁤ which provides ‍information and support to those⁢ seeking to⁣ end a pregnancy.

Healthcare professionals can provide information about overseas abortions⁣ and refer patients to the Abortion Support Network without legal repercussions. Doctors for Choice offers information and an abortion doula service,‍ answering questions and providing support to women.

Stabile notes that women ⁢still face the risk of prosecution if⁤ their ⁤abortion is revealed, potentially leading to a three-year‍ prison term. Doctors who perform abortions outside the restrictive law face a four-year prison term and loss of their ⁤medical license.

Stabile ‍says that ‍many representatives privately support pro-choice positions but are unwilling to publicly advocate for them. She adds that the‍ government tends to ⁣ignore Doctors for Choice,preferring to avoid a public outcry by allowing them to continue ‍their work.

Euronews has reached out to ‍Malta’s ⁣government for comment.

An Emerging Public Conversation

De Jong lead a campaign to gather Maltese support for the My Voice, My⁣ Choice initiative,⁤ aiming to‍ secure free access to abortion across the EU. She ‍collected the required ⁣signatures, noting that most people preferred to sign online ⁣due to stigma.

De Jong believes a public conversation is emerging⁣ on the⁤ island, which ⁢needs to grow before ⁢representatives ⁣will act. She notes that the discussion⁤ has slowly started to come out over the past six years.

What’s next

Continued activism and advocacy are crucial⁤ to shifting public opinion‍ and influencing policy changes regarding abortion rights in ⁣Malta. The ongoing debate highlights the need for open dialogue and a re-evaluation of⁣ the country’s restrictive laws⁢ in⁣ light of evolving⁤ societal values‍ and international human rights standards.