For 40 years, gynecologist Michele Mariano has been the only person performing abortions in Italy's conservative Molise region.&nbsp;

He has delayed retiring twice because no one will replace him, many refusing to terminate pregnancies as conscientious objectors.&nbsp;

It's an extreme example, but emblematic of a wider issue in Italy, where abortion up to 90 days after conception has been legal since 1978 -- but many healthcare providers don't offer them.&nbsp;

A majority of gynecologists refuse on conscientious objection grounds, driven either by religion or societal pressure, while recent moves by right-wing politicians with links to the Church have only increased obstacles for women. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oklahomas-legislature-passes-a-bill-banning-nearly-all-abortions-480648">US: Oklahoma's legislature passes a bill banning nearly all abortions</a>

As a result, dozens of hospitals and clinics across the country provide no abortion services at all.&nbsp;

Finding doctors to perform them can be a minefield, since there are no official lists disclosing those who do, while services vary wildly across the country.

"Someone goes to the hospital not knowing whether the doctor in front of them will do it," said Eleonora Mizzoni, 32, an abortion activist in Pisa.

Something wrong

Some 67 per cent of gynaecologists across Italy in cities and rural areas alike are conscientious objectors, according to the latest health ministry figures from 2019.&nbsp;

That figure exceeds 80 per cent in five of Italy's 20 regions.&nbsp;

Martina Patone, 35, described how she called about 10 hospitals in Rome and other cities to get an abortion eight years ago before a charity helped her out.

She had sought a medical abortion -- which involves taking pills -- but in the end had to undergo surgery.

Patone recalled having to explain to a nurse how the abortion pills worked, and before getting help from the charity having to lining up at 6:00 am in a "rusty staircase" of a Rome hospital basement to be put on a long waiting list.

"I really thought that going to the hospital would be easy. Not at all," she told AFP.

Besides the red tape, the process makes women feel as if "you did something wrong, you shouldn't say anything", she said.

She called it "absurd" that women continue to have the same problems exercising their right to abortion.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Stigma around abortion training: Abortion off medical courses in the US?

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See you later

Data published in May by the Luca Coscioni Association, which advocates for abortion rights, found that in at least 31 hospitals, all doctors or health workers who would assist in an abortion were objectors.

To help avoid such roadblocks, Mizzoni's group "Obiezione Respinta" (Objection Overruled) created an interactive online map where women can warn others where they will be turned away.

One woman on the site described waiting hours outside an operating room in Caserta, north of Naples, only for the hospital's gynaecologist to dismiss her saying, "I'm an objector, see you later".

Another in the Tuscan city of Pistoia recalled how the gynaecologist wrote her a prescription for a fertility drug, instead of the requested day-after pill.&nbsp;

A woman in the Umbrian town of Foligno said she was refused follow-up care after an abortion -- administered by the hospital's sole non-objector -- despite suffering from pain and fever.&nbsp;

The law stipulates that objectors cannot refuse medical care before and after abortion, but that is not always respected.

A 32-year-old Sicilian, Valentina Milluzzo, died of sepsis in 2016 in the fifth month of pregnancy when doctors refused to intervene when one twin died inside her womb but another was still alive.

Obstacle course

Italy is an outlier in western Europe, where the trend in recent decades has been to remove barriers to abortion, said Leah Hoctor, the Center for Reproductive Health's European director.

"Patients are going through a quagmire, an obstacle course, barrier after barrier because of these widespread refusals of care and the complete abdication of the state... this is unacceptable," she told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/access-to-safe-abortion-saves-lives-who-chief-comments-amid-row-476352">‘Access to safe abortion saves lives’: WHO chief comments amid row</a>

She said the failure of the state to manage its objectors efficiently amounts to "abdication of its responsibility under international human rights law".

The Council of Europe has twice censured Italy over inadequate access to abortion, with little consequence.&nbsp;

Culture of death

Conscientious objectors say faith drives their refusal to perform abortions. The Catholic Church is uncompromising on the issue, with Pope Francis calling it "murder".

"You can't force a doctor to kill," said Lorena, a 60-year-old mother of 12 at an anti-abortion rally in Rome last month, declining to give her last name.&nbsp;

The Italian Association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says its mission is "to counter the culture of death" and promote respect for life following "Christian principles".

But abortion activists say objection has ballooned beyond a moral issue and is now often based on expediency. In short, it's more professionally beneficial to be an objector than not in Italy.&nbsp;

Mariano, Molise's sole abortion doctor, told La Repubblica daily last year "those who perform abortions don't have a career".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/louisiana-lawmakers-advance-bill-classifying-abortion-as-crime-of-murder-476759">Louisiana lawmakers advance bill classifying abortion as 'crime of murder'</a>

The public pressure arises&nbsp;in a society increasingly concerned with its declining birth rate.

Abortion is not part of normal medical training, sex education in schools is not compulsory, and some pharmacists illegally refuse to dispense morning-after pills.

Wind from the USA

Politics also play a role, with piecemeal attempts to limit abortion access in certain regions controlled by right-wing parties with strong Church ties.

Piedmont, governed by a far-right coalition, announced in April it would offer 4,000 euros ($4,300) each to 100 pregnant women considering abortion for financial reasons, to convince them to reconsider.

Meanwhile, authorities in left-leaning Tuscany named an objector gynaecologist last month to head a family planning centre in Pontedera by the Arno river, which had been the first to introduce the abortion pill in 2005.&nbsp;

"Obviously times change and the anti-abortionist wind arriving from the USA is also sweeping over the Arno," consumer rights association ADUC noted.

However, unlike in the United States, abortion is not at the top of the political agenda in Italy and even for right-leaning parties there is no real push to overturn the law.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-to-ease-abortion-rules-for-over-16-women-introduce-menstrual-leave-up-to-five-days-478384">Spain to ease abortion rules for over-16 women, introduce menstrual leave up to five days</a>

Meanwhile, advocates of abortion rights worry that calling for improvements to the law, by making doctors easier to find or even limiting conscientious objections -- might backfire, gynaecologist Mirella Parachini told AFP.

"No one feels like questioning the abortion law for fear that reopening it would only lead to its deterioration."

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For 40 years, gynecologist Michele Mariano has been the only person performing abortions in Italy's conservative Molise region. He has delayed retiring twice because no one will replace him, many refusing to terminate pregnancies as conscientious objectors.

For 40 years, gynecologist Michele Mariano has been the only person performing abortions in Italy's conservative Molise region. He has delayed retiring twice because no one will replace him, many refusing to terminate pregnancies as conscientious objectors. It's an extreme example, but emblematic of a wider issue in Italy, where abortion up to 90 days after conception has been legal since 1978 -- but many healthcare providers don't offer them. A majority of gynecologists refuse on conscientious objection grounds, driven either by religion or societal pressure, while recent moves by right-wing politicians with links to the Church have only increased obstacles for women. Also read | US: Oklahoma's legislature passes a bill banning nearly all abortions As a result, dozens of hospitals and clinics across the country provide no abortion services at all. Finding doctors to perform them can be a minefield, since there are no official lists disclosing those who do, while services vary wildly across the country. "Someone goes to the hospital not knowing whether the doctor in front of them will do it," said Eleonora Mizzoni, 32, an abortion activist in Pisa. Something wrong Some 67 per cent of gynaecologists across Italy in cities and rural areas alike are conscientious objectors, according to the latest health ministry figures from 2019. That figure exceeds 80 per cent in five of Italy's 20 regions. Martina Patone, 35, described how she called about 10 hospitals in Rome and other cities to get an abortion eight years ago before a charity helped her out. She had sought a medical abortion -- which involves taking pills -- but in the end had to undergo surgery. Patone recalled having to explain to a nurse how the abortion pills worked, and before getting help from the charity having to lining up at 6:00 am in a "rusty staircase" of a Rome hospital basement to be put on a long waiting list. "I really thought that going to the hospital would be easy. Not at all," she told AFP. Besides the red tape, the process makes women feel as if "you did something wrong, you shouldn't say anything", she said. She called it "absurd" that women continue to have the same problems exercising their right to abortion. Watch | Stigma around abortion training: Abortion off medical courses in the US? See you later Data published in May by the Luca Coscioni Association, which advocates for abortion rights, found that in at least 31 hospitals, all doctors or health workers who would assist in an abortion were objectors. To help avoid such roadblocks, Mizzoni's group "Obiezione Respinta" (Objection Overruled) created an interactive online map where women can warn others where they will be turned away. One woman on the site described waiting hours outside an operating room in Caserta, north of Naples, only for the hospital's gynaecologist to dismiss her saying, "I'm an objector, see you later". Another in the Tuscan city of Pistoia recalled how the gynaecologist wrote her a prescription for a fertility drug, instead of the requested day-after pill. A woman in the Umbrian town of Foligno said she was refused follow-up care after an abortion -- administered by the hospital's sole non-objector -- despite suffering from pain and fever. The law stipulates that objectors cannot refuse medical care before and after abortion, but that is not always respected. A 32-year-old Sicilian, Valentina Milluzzo, died of sepsis in 2016 in the fifth month of pregnancy when doctors refused to intervene when one twin died inside her womb but another was still alive. Obstacle course Italy is an outlier in western Europe, where the trend in recent decades has been to remove barriers to abortion, said Leah Hoctor, the Center for Reproductive Health's European director. "Patients are going through a quagmire, an obstacle course, barrier after barrier because of these widespread refusals of care and the complete abdication of the state... this is unacceptable," she told AFP. Also read | ‘Access to safe abortion saves lives’: WHO chief comments amid row She said the failure of the state to manage its objectors efficiently amounts to "abdication of its responsibility under international human rights law". The Council of Europe has twice censured Italy over inadequate access to abortion, with little consequence. Culture of death Conscientious objectors say faith drives their refusal to perform abortions. The Catholic Church is uncompromising on the issue, with Pope Francis calling it "murder". "You can't force a doctor to kill," said Lorena, a 60-year-old mother of 12 at an anti-abortion rally in Rome last month, declining to give her last name. The Italian Association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says its mission is "to counter the culture of death" and promote respect for life following "Christian principles". But abortion activists say objection has ballooned beyond a moral issue and is now often based on expediency. In short, it's more professionally beneficial to be an objector than not in Italy. Mariano, Molise's sole abortion doctor, told La Repubblica daily last year "those who perform abortions don't have a career". Also read | Louisiana lawmakers advance bill classifying abortion as 'crime of murder' The public pressure arises in a society increasingly concerned with its declining birth rate. Abortion is not part of normal medical training, sex education in schools is not compulsory, and some pharmacists illegally refuse to dispense morning-after pills. Wind from the USA Politics also play a role, with piecemeal attempts to limit abortion access in certain regions controlled by right-wing parties with strong Church ties. Piedmont, governed by a far-right coalition, announced in April it would offer 4,000 euros ($4,300) each to 100 pregnant women considering abortion for financial reasons, to convince them to reconsider. Meanwhile, authorities in left-leaning Tuscany named an objector gynaecologist last month to head a family planning centre in Pontedera by the Arno river, which had been the first to introduce the abortion pill in 2005. "Obviously times change and the anti-abortionist wind arriving from the USA is also sweeping over the Arno," consumer rights association ADUC noted. However, unlike in the United States, abortion is not at the top of the political agenda in Italy and even for right-leaning parties there is no real push to overturn the law. Also read | Spain to ease abortion rules for over-16 women, introduce menstrual leave up to five days Meanwhile, advocates of abortion rights worry that calling for improvements to the law, by making doctors easier to find or even limiting conscientious objections -- might backfire, gynaecologist Mirella Parachini told AFP. "No one feels like questioning the abortion law for fear that reopening it would only lead to its deterioration." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Abortion in Italy is legal, but finding one is hard

A Democratic drive to make the right to&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;the law of the land failed in the US&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;on Wednesday after&nbsp;Republicans&nbsp;refused to allow a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;on the deeply polarizing issue that threatens to upend the upcoming midterm&nbsp;election&nbsp;campaign.

The House-passed Women's Health Protection Act would have created a federal statute assuring health care providers have the right to provide abortions and patients have the right to receive them.

The effort came amid a political firestorm ignited by a leaked draft opinion that showed the Supreme Court's conservative majority preparing to overturn&nbsp;Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 ruling guaranteeing&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;access nationwide.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-activists-fear-rolling-back-abortion-rights-can-act-as-threat-to-gay-marriage-477339">US activists fear rolling back abortion rights can act as threat to gay marriage</a>

But it was always a doomed and largely symbolic push, as Democrats already knew they would not be able to secure the 60 votes needed to advance towards a final yes or no&nbsp;vote&nbsp;in the evenly divided 100-member&nbsp;Senate.

In the end, all 50&nbsp;Republicans&nbsp;and one of the 50 Democrats, West Virginia centrist Joe Manchin, rejected considering the legislation. Manchin's&nbsp;vote&nbsp;was no surprise as he had telegraphed his "no" hours earlier.

President Joe Biden vowed never to "stop fighting to protect access to women's reproductive care" and urged voters to elect more pro-choice senators.

"Republicans&nbsp;in Congress -- not one of whom voted for this bill -- have chosen to stand in the way of Americans'&nbsp;rights&nbsp;to make the most personal decisions about their own bodies, families and lives," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

Although the outcome was never in doubt, the rejection is seen as significant, with&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;rights&nbsp;set to be a hot button issue for November's midterm&nbsp;elections, when control of both the House and&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;will be at stake.

Watch |&nbsp;US Senate may vote on abortion rights law

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A raucous crowd of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, which passed the legislation last September, gathered on the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;side of the building chanting "my body, my decision" ahead of the&nbsp;vote.

They had been encouraged by new Politico/Morning Consult polling showing 53 percent of voters thought Roe should not be overturned, up three percentage points since last week,&nbsp;while 58 percent said it was important to&nbsp;vote&nbsp;for a candidate who supports&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;access.

"Generally, the people who&nbsp;vote&nbsp;and turn out based on&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;policy are those who support more restrictions on&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;rights," said Shana Gadarian, professor of political science at Syracuse University.

"By striking down Roe, this is likely to create a new constituency of pro-choice voters who are activated to turn out and donate in ways that they would not normally in a midterm&nbsp;election."&nbsp;

Day of action

Senate&nbsp;Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested over the weekend that a federal&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;ban is "possible" if Roe is overturned, although he has since acknowledged that no position on the issue has ever achieved the 60-vote&nbsp;threshold.

But Democrats seized on the initial remark, arguing that highlighting their disagreement with&nbsp;Republicans&nbsp;could help them in the midterms.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-roe-vs-wade-is-overturned-abortion-pills-may-become-the-new-debate-476763">If Roe vs Wade is overturned, abortion pills may become the new debate</a>

"If we are not successful, then we go to the ballot box," Senator Amy Klobuchar told ABC on Sunday.

"We march straight to the ballot box, and the women of this country and the men who stand with them will&nbsp;vote&nbsp;like they've never voted before."

Activism around the issue is becoming increasingly acrimonious, with angry protesters in favor of&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;rights&nbsp;gathering at the homes of Supreme Court justices in Washington over the past week.&nbsp;

Multiple organizations that support&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;rights&nbsp;have called for a "massive day of action" on Saturday, with marches in New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as hundreds of smaller events nationwide.

Police in the nation's capital, still on edge after Congress was attacked by a mob of former president Donald Trump's supporters in 2021, have set up temporary fencing around the court.

The leaked opinion is also spawning renewed calls by progressives to add justices to the court, fueled by the possibility the conservative-majority bench could overturn other landmark decisions.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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A Democratic drive to make the right to abortion the law of the land failed in the US Senate on Wednesday after Republicans refused to allow a vote on the deeply polarizing issue that threatens to upend the upcoming midterm election campaign.

A Democratic drive to make the right to abortion the law of the land failed in the US Senate on Wednesday after Republicans refused to allow a vote on the deeply polarizing issue that threatens to upend the upcoming midterm election campaign. The House-passed Women's Health Protection Act would have created a federal statute assuring health care providers have the right to provide abortions and patients have the right to receive them. The effort came amid a political firestorm ignited by a leaked draft opinion that showed the Supreme Court's conservative majority preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 ruling guaranteeing abortion access nationwide. Also read | US activists fear rolling back abortion rights can act as threat to gay marriage But it was always a doomed and largely symbolic push, as Democrats already knew they would not be able to secure the 60 votes needed to advance towards a final yes or no vote in the evenly divided 100-member Senate. In the end, all 50 Republicans and one of the 50 Democrats, West Virginia centrist Joe Manchin, rejected considering the legislation. Manchin's vote was no surprise as he had telegraphed his "no" hours earlier. President Joe Biden vowed never to "stop fighting to protect access to women's reproductive care" and urged voters to elect more pro-choice senators. "Republicans in Congress -- not one of whom voted for this bill -- have chosen to stand in the way of Americans' rights to make the most personal decisions about their own bodies, families and lives," he said in a statement. Although the outcome was never in doubt, the rejection is seen as significant, with abortion rights set to be a hot button issue for November's midterm elections, when control of both the House and Senate will be at stake. Watch | US Senate may vote on abortion rights law A raucous crowd of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, which passed the legislation last September, gathered on the Senate side of the building chanting "my body, my decision" ahead of the vote. They had been encouraged by new Politico/Morning Consult polling showing 53 percent of voters thought Roe should not be overturned, up three percentage points since last week, while 58 percent said it was important to vote for a candidate who supports abortion access. "Generally, the people who vote and turn out based on abortion policy are those who support more restrictions on abortion rights," said Shana Gadarian, professor of political science at Syracuse University. "By striking down Roe, this is likely to create a new constituency of pro-choice voters who are activated to turn out and donate in ways that they would not normally in a midterm election." Day of action Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested over the weekend that a federal abortion ban is "possible" if Roe is overturned, although he has since acknowledged that no position on the issue has ever achieved the 60-vote threshold. But Democrats seized on the initial remark, arguing that highlighting their disagreement with Republicans could help them in the midterms. Also read | If Roe vs Wade is overturned, abortion pills may become the new debate "If we are not successful, then we go to the ballot box," Senator Amy Klobuchar told ABC on Sunday. "We march straight to the ballot box, and the women of this country and the men who stand with them will vote like they've never voted before." Activism around the issue is becoming increasingly acrimonious, with angry protesters in favor of abortion rights gathering at the homes of Supreme Court justices in Washington over the past week. Multiple organizations that support abortion rights have called for a "massive day of action" on Saturday, with marches in New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as hundreds of smaller events nationwide. Police in the nation's capital, still on edge after Congress was attacked by a mob of former president Donald Trump's supporters in 2021, have set up temporary fencing around the court. The leaked opinion is also spawning renewed calls by progressives to add justices to the court, fueled by the possibility the conservative-majority bench could overturn other landmark decisions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US Republicans block contentious Senate abortion rights vote

Colombia's highest court has decriminalised abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Before the ruling, Colombia allowed abortions only when a woman's life was in danger, a fetus had malformations or a pregnancy resulted from rape.

Colombia's highest court legalises abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy

Abortion in Argentina is currently only permitted when a pregnancy results from rape, or if a pregnancy endangers the life or health of the woman

Argentina's Senate to vote on historic bill to legalise abortion

Argentinian senate is all set to vote on the controversial legal abortion bill next week. The government back the bill which aim at expanding the availability of legal abortion. If cleared the bill will allow abortion till 14th week.

Argentina's abortion bill backed by the government

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