Natalie Psaila

Maltese doctor and advocate

Natalie Psaila is a Maltese doctor and abortion-rights advocate. She is a co-founder of Malta-based NGO, Doctors for Choice.^[1]^[2]

Career

Psaila is a family medicine specialist.^[1]^[2]

Psaila has published a book for tweens on reproductive health, titled My Body's Fantastic Journey.^[1]^[2]

Activism

Psaila has advocated for a loosening of Malta's strict abortion laws, as well as advocating for better access to contraception.^[2]^[3]^[4] She has received violent messages and death threats for her work.^[5] Psaila and her colleagues at Doctors for Choice have said they have seen limited action from authorities when they report these incidents.^[5]

In 2019, Psaila co-founded Doctors for Choice.^[5]

At the end of June 2023,^[6] Psaila and another doctor, Isabel Stabile, established a hotline for women who want to induce an abortion.^[2] The hotline helps patients discuss potential options abroad, and provides support for those who choose to induce abortion with medication.^[1]^[2]

Recognition

In 2023, Psaila was named to the BBC's 100 Women list,^[7] becoming the first Maltese woman to receive that honor.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Maltese pro-choice campaigner named on BBC's list of 100 most inspirational and influential women". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Magri, Giulia (2023-11-21). "Maltese pro-choice doctor makes it to BBC list of 100 influential women in 2023". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ "Malta proposes bill to ease EU's strictest anti-abortion law". baynews9.com. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ Psaila, Natalie (2023-09-28). "Helping those who need an abortion". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ ^a ^b ^c Calleja, Laura (2022-05-04). "Pro-choice doctor reveals abuse she received: 'Let's kill her children and see how she likes it'". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ "Pro-choice doctors launch abortion helpline". Times of Malta. 2023-07-01. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
^ "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 21, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-23.

100 Women by BBC in 2023

Politics and advocacy

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