These two reports by Medici del Mondo (Médecins du Monde) provide an overview of the legal context of abortion in Italy, and describe the various barriers encountered by those seeking an abortion, particularly since the arrival of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the government.
In addition to their content and how they describe the restrictive Italian context, I find these reports an excellent illustration of the measures taken by and effects of extreme rightwing governments. They focus on sexual and reproductive rights, but also more globally on gender equality, women’s rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, as well as an important focus on anti-trans attacks too. And all this without ever attacking the law per se.
They focus for example on the massive use of the conscience clause and its effects, and on the entry of anti-abortion groups into hospitals and clinics. Funding is provided to organizations and associations working for the “social value of motherhood” and the “protection of newborn life”. In February, Councillor Mauricio Marrone announced a budget of one million euros for 2024 for them.
These reports also focus on the increase in legislative proposals that explicitly support birth and motherhood, and the fight against abortion. For example: a bill to recognize the legal capacity of the embryo, another to recognize March 25 as the “National Day of Life and Childbirth” and so on.
What are Italian feminists’ demands?
- Adaptation of legislation and procedures relating to abortion, making full use of WHO recommendations, in particular:
- Increase or abolish the legal gestational age limit for abortion.
- Abolish the seven-day waiting period between the first clinic visit and the abortion procedure.
- Prohibition of conscientious objection for nursing staff in health establishments providing abortion-related services.
- Exclusion of anti-abortion associations in the selection of organizations responsible for providing information and advice on abortion in hospitals and consultation centers.
- Public and easily accessible information on existing agreements between anti-abortion associations and groups and health establishments.
- To sign the MyVoiceMyChoice petition, a European Citizens’ Initiative, before April 2025.
These reports are in French and Italian. They go with the Unheard Voices campaign in Italy.
SOURCE: Marie Lussier, Heath and Advocacy Advisor, Médecins du Monde, Paris, France