Italy's abortion divisions sharpen under Melonis leadership
Summary
The article discusses the challenges women face in Italy, a predominantly Catholic country, when seeking an abortion. It highlights the experience of an Italian singer, who described how a gynecologist aggressively questioned her decision to have an abortion and falsely claimed she was further along in her pregnancy, despite her insistence that it was not possible due to her long-distance relationship. The woman felt judged by healthcare workers, and when she experienced intense pain before the procedure, her suffering was ignored.
Relevance
As Catholicism is the dominant religion in Italy, its policies and healthcare services reflect a strong adherence to Catholic values. Although abortion is legal within the first three months of pregnancy, the experience of the Italian singer highlights the persistent stigma surrounding access to abortion services. One challenge is that approximately 63% of gynecologists in Italy have a conscientious objection to abortion, with the figure rising to nearly 80% in southern Italy. The article illustrates that, despite the appearance of secular laws, Catholic influence creates discrepancies in the delivery of abortion services.