Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli yesterday said she agreed with the introduction of the morning-after pill as “a form of contraception”.
Speaking during a public consultation meeting at the Auberge de Castille, Dr Dalli said Cabinet had received a scientific briefing on the pill, informing ministers that it was a contraceptive as it prolonged ovulation and prevented fertilisation.
Earlier this month, the Women’s Rights Foundation filed a judicial protest against the State demanding licensing, importation and distribution of emergency contraception to be made legal.
The issue has since been cast in the national spotlight, with stakeholders and civil society tussling over whether the pill was a contraceptive or a form of abortion.
Dr Dalli insisted yesterday, however, the advice given to Cabinet was that it was a contraceptive. “The science is what it is,” she said.
She said the next step would be for it to be discussed by Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee, giving those with concerns and differing views a chance to speak out.
In a brief intervention, Loraine Spiteri from the Women’s Confederation said introducing this method would be less invasive than other options such as the use of contraceptive coils.
Dr Dalli said similar effects to that of the morning-after pill could be achieved through the misuse of other medications. Regularising the use of safer methods would ultimately protect women, she said.
Dr Dalli also said that the government was set to embark on a pilot project for gender neutral bathrooms. These would be rolled out in government ministries first. Dr Dalli said she was also in favour of having gender neutral baby changing rooms, as fathers often faced difficulties when looking for a place to change young ones.