'Investigate safes containing abortion pills across Malta': council of women
'Initiatives that facilitate access to abortion pills in Malta raise serious concerns about respect for the law'
The National Council of Women has called for an investigation into reports that an NGO has placed several key safes containing abortion pills in locations across Malta and Gozo.
The placement of the safes forms part of a campaign to raise awareness about the country’s restrictive abortion laws.
The council on Monday expressed grave concern over the matter.
It said that any initiative which appears to facilitate access to abortion pills in Malta raises serious concerns about respect for the law, public safety, the protection of vulnerable women, and the protection of unborn life.
"Women facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies deserve real support, not secrecy, isolation, or pills hidden in public places. Compassion must never be reduced to a coded lock box.
"A truly caring society responds by surrounding women with practical, emotional, medical, and social support, while also upholding the dignity and right to life of the unborn child."
The council called on the authorities to "urgently investigate" the placement of the lock boxes and take necessary steps to ensure that any illegal or unsafe activity is stopped.
The council reiterated the need for stronger, visible, and accessible support structures for pregnant women, especially those experiencing fear, poverty, pressure, abandonment, domestic violence, or lack of family support.
"No woman should feel that she has no option except to act alone and in secrecy," the council said, adding it remained "firmly opposed" to abortion.