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.