Malta’s pro-choice movement has vowed to continue its campaign for abortion law reform following the Constitutional Court’s ruling in the Andrea Prudente case.
In a strongly worded statement, Voice for Choice said the movement “will not be silenced” and pledged to continue working for the decriminalisation of abortion and what it described as the protection of pregnant people’s lives.
“The pro-choice movement will not be silenced by judicial attempts to undermine our credibility or the autonomy of the women we support,” the coalition said.
“We will continue to fight unapologetically for the decriminalisation of abortion, the protection of pregnant people’s lives, and a healthcare system rooted in science, compassion, and human rights.”
Voice for Choice expressed “profound outrage and dismay” at the ruling, describing the judgment as “a stain on women’s rights and reproductive healthcare in Malta”.
The coalition also strongly criticised the Court’s comments that Prudente had been “used” by pro-choice campaigners and had “played ball to their beliefs”. It described the assertion as “deeply patronising” and “a gross insult to her intelligence and autonomy”.
According to the group, Prudente was a “fully capable adult” who understood the danger she believed she faced and advocated for her own health.
Voice for Choice further accused the judgment of ignoring international medical science and criticised the Court’s description of part of Prudente’s distress as “xi naqra self inflicted”.
The group said it stands in “absolute solidarity” with Prudente and her partner, Jay Wheeler, arguing that they endured trauma, fear and uncertainty while receiving medical treatment in Malta.
The statement concludes with a clear message that the pro-choice movement intends to continue campaigning for abortion law reform despite the Court ruling.
Complete statement can be found here
