On April 23, 2024, the Italian Parliament voted for an amendment by Fratelli d’Italia which allows anti-abortion movements to intervene in family planning centers. In Emilia-Romagna, where access to abortion is guaranteed, unlike many regions, the decision of Georgia Meloni’s party causes concern and anger. In Modena, the feminist association Bon Una di Meno is preparing an information meeting for May 8, Mother’s Day in Italy, to curb the influence of these groups.
From our correspondent in Modena,
The meeting is set at Eretica, an association premises in the west of Modena. In the small room on the first floor, there are around twenty activists. First item on the agenda, organize an evening for women to inform them about the reality of abortion. Because for the past 6 months, so-called pro-life groups have been particularly active in Modena. For the first time in Italy, the association 40 days for life organized vigils in front of the Polyclinico hospital, which performs abortions. Luciana has been campaigning for almost 10 years within Non Una di Meno.
“ It was from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. There were not many of them, but they would stand there to pray for hours and an activist there also informed us that they were signing petitions. »
The first vigils took place in October and November, then again in February and March, for a total of 80 days of anti-abortion prayer at the foot of the hospital. On March 10, the group even organized a public meeting on post-abortion syndrome. Victoria attended this conference opposed to this theory of numbers and studies.
“ This conference seems mainly about post-abortion syndrome. What is it about ? Of a lie. We informed ourselves, documented it, and it doesn’t exist. They compared this post-abortion syndrome to post-traumatic stress syndrome.. »
Anti-abortion practices that could become widespread
In Italy, abortion is authorized by Law 194 adopted in 1978. In fact, 63% of gynecologists and obstetricians are conscientious objectors for religious or personal reasons. They may refuse to perform a voluntary termination of pregnancy or even to issue the medical certificate prior to an abortion. In Abruzzo, Basilicata, Sicily, Bolzano or Molise, this figure exceeds 80%.
Family counseling centers then play a key role. In Emilia-Romagna, they issue 70% of the medical certificates that women need before they can perform an abortion. Victoria: “ We offered to support people who needed it, to help people who had had bad experiences, because this situation in the centers destabilized a lot of people. »
In regions where the government coalition is in power, so-called pro-life associations have already penetrated family counseling centers. In Lazio and Marche, women denounced interviews during which they were forced to listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. With this amendment, activists fear that these anti-abortion practices will become widespread from the north to the south of the country.
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