Italian abortion law contains a dangerous loophole, enabling doctors to refuse to carry out the procedure. Abortions are thus allowed on paper but almost impossible in practice, and prochoice doctors are discriminated, says the Council of Europe.

In Italy, women’s rights are routinely violated because of the lack of access to safe abortions. Voluntary interruptions of pregnancies are legal in the country, but the overwhelming majority of doctors declare themselves "conscientious objectors" and are thus refusing to assist and carry out the procedure.

In other words, abortions may be allowed on paper, but it is almost impossible to get one.

The violation of the right to health of women is not the only concern, though. Pro-choice gynecologists and obstetricians in Italy are actively discriminated against, and even subjected to mobbing, and some have noted that "non-objectors have been ghettoized."

This worrisome state of affairs has been condemned by the Council of Europe in a recent decision stemming from a complaint by the CGIL, Italy's biggest trade union.

Dangerous 'escape clause'

Terminating pregnancies has been legal in Italy since Law 194 was approved back in 1978, but still Italy is no country for women seeking safe abortions.

In theory, women can decide to interrupt a pregnancy during its first 12 week. However, Law 194 has a dangerous legal loophole that allows doctors to decline to perform and assist abortions for religious or moral reasons, by declaring themselves "conscientious objectors."

Up to 70 percent of Italian doctors are conscientious objectors, and in some regions it is really almost impossible to find one who is not (in Molise, Basilicata, Sicilia and Puglia between 93 percent and 86 percent of doctors refuse to give abortions).

Why do doctors refuse to give abortions? The Catholic Church certainly plays an important role here. In Italy, the influence of the Vatican has indeed always been very strong, especially in health and education; it is thus not really surprising to hear that the Catholic Church is encouraging hospitals to hire anti-choice gynecologist and obstetricians.

Clandestine abortions

Italian women in need of abortion services are often forced to go abroad or to bypass the authorities and undergo an illegal abortion. Procedures carried out in secret are on the rise, and this is extremely worrisome, as such situations involve considerable risks for the health and well-being of women.

Official data estimates that around 15,000 clandestine abortions are performed every year in the country, but many say that the real number is actually far bigger.

As things stand, women's right to health and self-determination is seriously compromised in Italy. More must be done to ensure that women who decide to interrupt a pregnancy are able to do so in all safety and a key step is ensuring that doctors who decide to give abortions are not discriminated against.