The amendment aims to use part of the European health fund (from the Next Generation program) for clinics that help pregnant women. In practice, these funds can now be used to “engage third sector providers with relevant experience in maternity support in clinics”. Critics interpret this as a green light for anti-abortion, pro-life organizations to operate in clinics.
Riccardo Magi, head of the European support group +Europa, criticized the government's decision: “The government uses PNRR funds in a political way, not to mention trampling on women's rights.” Magi stressed that the decision contradicted the European Parliament's desire to introduce the right to abortion into the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Violent reactions in the country
The opposition and some media say the initiative by Meloni's government is another step towards restricting women's rights in Italy. Right now, the right wants experts from pro-life organizations to advise women who decide to have an abortion. The decision is seen as an attempt to discourage women from terminating their pregnancies.
– More and more employees are leaving underfunded counseling rooms that are only open a few times a week. Health care, which should serve women, has now become a victim of politics, says psychologist Rita Gortonisi in an interview with “La Repubblica”. As he says, “The number of abortions in Italy is decreasing anyway.
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