Pro-life groups in Malta fight to keep abortion illegal, despite pressure

The tiny island nation of Malta, located just south of the Italian island of Sicily, is the only member of the European Union where abortion is illegal except in cases where the mother’s life is endangered. Malta is historically a heavily Catholic country, and as recently as 2018, an online survey found that fully 95 percent of Maltese citizens opposed legalizing abortion in the first trimester. And yet, several advocacy organizations within the country, particularly in the last year, have been pushing hard for that to change.

A July 2019 article by The Atlantic reported that several feminist and women’s rights organizations, like the Women’s Rights Foundation, have adopted a pro-abortion stance. Several brand new advocacy groups, like Voice for Choice and Doctors for Choice, have also formed recently. Other European abortions rights organizations, like the Abortion Support Network, have extended their “services” to Malta since 2018.

READ: “Malta is one of the most pro-life countries in the world” is locked Malta is one of the most pro-life countries in the world

One pro-life, pro-woman organization is fighting back. Life Network Malta was founded in 2014 as a pro-life, pro-family organization “so as to foster a culture of life by endorsing value to every life.” Their mission is to protect human life, from conception to natural death, as well as (from their Facebook page):

To address all life, marriage and family issues founded on Catholic principles of morality and social justice which includes love and respect for every human person regardless of his or her beliefs;

To work in collaboration with all persons interested in the protection of life in all its stages, independently of their nationality, age, colour, creed or sex, as well as with the community at large, in order to achieve the aforementioned aim;

To promote and defend the authentic rights and dignity of every human being from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death;

To support the authentic rights and responsibilities of every human being in striving to serve and protect particularly the most vulnerable members of society, each of whom is in the image and likeness of God.

They pursue this goal through:

• “Promoting a strong spiritual dimension sustained by prayer.

• Educational programmes targeting all levels of society.

• Organisation of conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures.

• Providing training and support for pro-life activists.

• Establishing and encouraging active networking between local and international pro-life groups.

• Raising life issues in all forms of media.

• Advocacy on the sanctity of human life.

• Outreach to mothers in crisis pregnancy.

• Providing post-abortion support.”

Recent updates on their website include a graduation celebration for newly certified FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) teachers, who will work with Maltese women to learn about their bodies and their fertility through menstrual cycle tracking. A Facebook update references a new Project Truth pod, a Malta branch of a pro-life youth advocacy organization that originated in Scotland.

Life Line Malta is an outgrowth of Life Network Foundation Malta, and offers 24/7 phone line and online chat options for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies. Life Line Malta can connect women with pregnancy tests, parenting classes, women’s health tracking programs, practical necessities like baby clothes and equipment, medical referrals, and the SaveOne Post Abortion Healing program. Abortion advocates may not be going anywhere anytime soon, but Life Network Malta isn’t either. By equipping Maltese citizens with information and resources that affirm the value of every human life, they will ensure a pro-life Malta for generations to come.

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