Reproductive Rights are Human Rights says Volt on International Women’s Day
Reproductive Rights are Human Rights says Volt on International Women’s Day
- Fight misinformation with a Standard Factual & Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Curriculum
- Free contraceptives & adoption of Fraser Guidelines
- Decriminalise Abortion, legalise medical abortions (12 weeks) and also surgical in emergency situations + aftercare services
On International Women’s Day Volt reminds that the European Parliament declared sexual and reproductive rights as human rights. The party believes we need to make significant progress to live up to those ideals and to work toward gender equality, especially when it comes to bodily autonomy.
The party believes that first, we need to empower citizens with correct information growing up, and regardless of which schools they go to, be it public, church or private, schools must teach an age-appropriate Standard Factual & Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Curriculum. Furthermore, the party aims to make use of public and private media to educate the adult population who didn’t have the opportunity to learn correct information growing up.
Secondly, the party aims to widely increase accessibility to contraceptives. It would classify them as essential medicines and products, make them free from public healthcare institutions, reimbursable from private outlets and also adopt the Fraser Guidelines to ensure individuals who are under 16 are not excluded from them. The Morning After Pill should be accessible just as much as any contraceptive, and the Copper IUD should also be introduced as an emergency contraceptive.
‘‘ Every year youths younger than 16 are getting pregnant, it would be naive to exclude them from access to contraceptives.’’ added Thomas ‘‘Kass’’ Mallia, Volt Malta Candidate
Thirdly, it is a fact that having all the knowledge and taking all the precautions and using contraceptives can still result in an unwanted pregnancy. If someone in Malta wanted to end their pregnancy in Malta, the law does not allow it. Their options are flying abroad for an abortion (if they can afford it), or having an unsafe abortion in Malta. This is irrational.
Volt Malta believes that it’s time to decriminalise abortion in Malta. Abortions are a healthcare matter, not a criminal one. Furthermore, the party believes Malta should legalise Medical abortions. A process that involves using Mifepristone & Misoprostone within the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Lastly, it would also ensure that it is possible to perform surgery under exceptional, especially life-saving circumstances. The process should also be coupled with abortion aftercare services.
‘‘It’s 2022, and women are still seen as incubators in the eyes of the law. How many more years are we going to keep the status quo?’’ said Alexia DeBono, Volt Malta Candidate.
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