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Malta is the last country in Europe to still criminalise abortion. A majority Catholic country, prior to Covid-19 Malta was due a visit from the Pope and similar to the US it is often made an election issue. Doctors for Choice, a group of pro-choice medical professionals, was set up last year and they have received major criticism in the country – with hundreds of doctors writing a letter in response in support of pro-life laws and treatments.

Since coronavirus hit, the number of Maltese women approaching the UK-based Abortion Support Network increased considerably who help women with their abortion fund. They have already had more requests from women than they received from the whole of 2019.

Why the UK? The UK has historic links with Malta – where most people are bilingual with English – as well as offers abortion on request for the longest time period in Europe. Also, Italy has strict abortion laws in comparison and so the Maltese can’t rely on a nearby country to get them. Therefore they need to fly – which is tough if you don’t have much money and would raise eyebrows from your family if you disappeared for a few days. It’s even bigger trouble when the airports close.

In this programme Sophia Smith Galer explore the strength of feeling around abortion in Malta. Why is it the last country to still criminalise abortion and what does the future hold for the relationship between church and state there.