Morning-after pill: Helena Dalli says she agrees with judicial protest

Civil liberties minister Helena Dalli came out in favour of the legislation of the morning-after pill, describing it as a form of contraception.

The Women’s Rights Foundation has filed a judicial protest to call for the legislation of the morning-after pill, describing it as a “fundamental right”.

Dalli, who previously said she has “no problem” with the pill, told a ‘Gvern li Jisma’ listening session that she fully supported the Foundation’s judicial protest.

"The pill is a form of contraceptive that delays ovulation so as to prevent fertilisation,” she said. "Moreover, the legislation of the morning after pill will prevent women from misusing other medication."

She said that the next step is for the proposal to be discussed at Parliament's social affairs committee.

During the session, Dalli announced that gender-neutral toilets will be installed in every government ministry, in a pilot project to safeguard rights of transgender people. 

A gender-neutral toilet will also be installed at the regenerated Rahal Gdid village square.

"Malta ranks highly with regards LGBT legislation, but it is not enough for their rights to be enshrined in the constitution, if they are then discriminated against on the ground," she said. "Toilets might seem like a non-issue to most of us, but it's a big deal for trans people."

A gender-neutral toilet will also be installed at the regenerated Rahal Gdid village square.

Dalli also called for a consultation period with the aim of changing the terminology of civil unions into 'marriage' and said that a Bill on cohabitation should be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year.