Enlarge image
Demonstrators in the capital Valletta hold up signs against the planned relaxation of the abortion ban on Sunday
Photo: DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI / REUTERS
SPIEGEL:
Ms. Dibben, women around the world regularly demonstrate for their rights and the possibility of safe abortion.
On Sunday, there were also the biggest protests in years in Malta – but they were directed against the liberalization of abortion rights.
What's the matter with you?
Andreana Dibben:
It was mostly older people on the street.
And the Catholic Church mobilized the entire clergy, and the Sunday sermons promoted the protest.
In a way, it was made a duty to resist the planned reforms.
The protests were big, but I don't think they represent the whole population.
If the government camp did this, it would probably have a similar number of people on the streets.
The dispute has been escalating for weeks.
SPIEGEL:
How did that come about?
Dibben:
The discussion started in June when a pregnant American woman
suffered heavy bleeding.
Despite the danger to her life, the doctors treated refused to perform an abortion.
Malta is the only EU country with a total ban on abortion.
This case showed us what that means in concrete terms.
The Social Democratic government therefore promised to examine the laws.
Abortions will continue to be banned in the future.
If women's lives are in danger, there should be exceptions.
There are now protests against this.
It is claimed that the diagnosis »mortal danger« is taken as an opportunity to allow terminations of pregnancy even in the case of psychological problems.
The public pretends that anything will soon be possible here.
And in parliament, the leader of the opposition even recently suggested that the whole case of the tourist was a conspiracy to make abortions possible.
This is of course grotesque.
But it seems to hit a nerve with some people.
SPIEGEL:
What role does the Catholic Church play in Malta?
Dibben:
A very big one!
For many, the church holds our society together.
In our history we have been controlled by the British at times and by the Italians at other times.
Our language has Latin letters but is closely related to Arabic.
Today we have a lot of migration.
Away from here, but also to us.
Every small change is strongly felt here.
We're just a small island with just 500,000 people.
Catholicism is therefore like an anchor for many Maltesers.
Morality plays a bigger role in everyday life than on the mainland.
Even today, 40 percent of the population go to a service every week.
SPIEGEL:
You write in your doctoral thesis that mothers still have a special meaning today.
Dibben:
The role of mother is strongly idealized in our society.
Women should be there for their children and, if in doubt, sacrifice everything.
her life too.
This view is conveyed to this day, a large proportion of the children go to church schools.
When the American woman was in mortal danger, it was said: 'You should have stayed at home.' Even today there are young women in Malta who consider abortion to be a sin.
Of course, this perspective does not fit the reality of women.
Many young Maltese women today make a conscious decision not to have children, precisely because they know what that means.
Our birth rate is now the lowest in the EU.
And when women want an abortion, they fly to the UK.
SPIEGEL:
Do you think the protest can still stop the planned reforms?
Dibben:
The Prime Minister has already announced that he is sticking to it.
Maybe they will change something cosmetically.
But there is a political majority.
A large part of the population also supports the reform.
The biggest hurdle now is President George Vella.
Before taking office, he promised not to sign laws relaxing abortion laws, even though he belongs to the ruling party.
But when in doubt, he lets his deputy sign it.
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