There’s always room for diversity; we’re all sisters. It’s about all of us trying to understand each other from our different circumstances. There is space for all of us.
Francesca Fenech Conti
Panelist Francesca Fenech Conti addressed the conversation regarding women’s rights, abortion as well as contraception.
“Criticism helps us grow” said the activist. She spoke about how criticism is good and if someone proves her wrong she’s willing to change.
The morning after pill was discussed and Fenech Conti stated if a woman is menstruating and has a risk of pregnancy she should be allowed to purchase a morning after pill regardless of her age whilst always discussing with specialists and emphasised the importance of education in this matter.
She expressed that it is important to talk about contraception despite it not being discussed on a national level and she stressed that contraception should be free and readily available for those in need of it.
She continued by saying that legalisation of abortion is the end product of a very tough journey which includes a number of diplomatic talks and a lot of compromise.
The right to life comes from a very religious background back when ensoulment was very important. It’s the biggest moral dilemma and it is a very personal and private issue. The right to life is a very moral concept. She emphasised that it is such an important choice for a woman. A woman has a right to life as well.
Decriminalisation would also be a very good start said the activist. Ideally abortion should enter as a policy but politicians are too scared to take this leap. Policies should be there to cater for all our citizens and not just those who can afford to leave the country to commit the act.
Fenech Conti stated that no one is forcing anyone to have an abortion. Quite to the contrary she wishes that no woman would be in a state to consider abortion however, it is a reality which we have to act upon. Making the act unlawful would only prevent women from accessing a safe abortion rather than banning abortion throughout.
Statistics show that 92% of abortions happen when the woman is less than 13 weeks pregnant and the next 7% happen between 14% to 20% because they get diagnosed with a severe anomaly whilst the very few left happen after 20 week mark.
To add on, a member of the audience stated that the current situation right now does not allow women to discuss their experiences which lets them grow.
This conversation was a part of JEF’s campaign, JEF Talks which President Nicola Mangion described as, “an idea to have students discussing issues they feel are relevant in an intimate context.”