Nia Thomas
The people of San Marino voted overwhelmingly to legalise abortion on 26 September by referendum; overturning a 156-year-old ban.
The vote, initiated by the San Marino Women’s Union, was won with 77% of voters turning out in favour of legalising abortion, against 23% saying ‘no’. 41% of eligible voters turned out on the day
The Northern Italian enclave with 33,000 residents previously criminalised abortion, with those who sought them risking three years’ imprisonment. While the doctor who carries out the procedure, could face up to six.
“It’s unacceptable to view as criminals women who are forced to have abortions.”
Before the vote, Francesca Nicolini, doctor and San Marino Women’s Union (UDS) member, noted that she expected success because “the majority of young people are on our side, because it’s an issue that directly affects their lives”.
She added: “It’s unacceptable to view as criminals women who are forced to have abortions”.
Moving Forward
The Catholic country was one of the last European locations with a total ban on abortion. Until now, many were forced to travel to Italy where abortion was legalised in 1978.
The motion passed by the referendum will allow pregnancies to be terminated within 12 weeks of conception. After 12 weeks, abortions will be permitted if the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother’s health or if foetal abnormalities could cause psychological or physical harm.
The traditionally socially conservative country’s government, the Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party, led the opposition to decriminalising abortion and has strong ties to the Catholic Church.
Valentina Rossi, a UDS member and ‘Yes’ campaign activist said: “I am very happy and satisfied that the citizens of San Marino have finally expressed the fact that women must enjoy equal dignity”.
She adds: “This demonstrates that the citizens are far beyond politics”.
Abortion remains illegal in Andorra and Malta, while Poland near-totally banned the procedure earlier this year.
Featured image courtesy of Zuza Gałczyńska on Unsplash. Image license found here. There were no changes made to the image.
Nia Thomas
Nia is a Gender Studies Masters student at the University of Sussex. Having recently graduated with a degree in Political Science, she is keenly interested in current affairs and stories concerning equality and diversity. Away from writing, she is an avid reader and lover of reality TV.