Italy Blocks Reproductive Health Websites Women on Web and Women Help Women

(ooni.org)

38 points by miniBill2 hours ago

4 comments

eur0pa10 minutes ago
Abortion is legal in this country, and any woman can go to the hospital (as in the ER), or at a consultorio familiare to initiate the process. Both options are free of charge and free of judgement, especially the latter. As to why these two websites were rendered inaccessible it beats me, as there are many other local alternatives one may peruse, and they're all accessible. Hell, even the Italian Government Website has resources[1][2]![1] <a href="https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/salute-della-donna/" rel="nofollow">https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/salute-della-donna/</a>[2] <a href="https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/salute-della-donna/interruzione-volontaria-di-gravidanza/" rel="nofollow">https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/salute-della-donna/int...</a>
- lelanthran3 minutes ago
 > As to why these two websites were rendered inaccessible it beats me, as there are many other local alternatives one may peruse, and they're all accessible.Because, presumably, abortion is legal only in specific circumstances (first trimester, I imagine) and these websites are bypassing that.FTFA:> Today, Women on Web facilitates online access to abortion pillsI'd expect any website that provides access to non-over-the-counter pills is operating against the law. I mean, it'd be nice if I can buy antibiotics online, but I can't in my jurisdiction.
- altern83 minutes ago
 I couldn't find any information, either. The only thing I was able to find were many posts on Reddit from women trying to get these websites to send them abortion pills.I assume that this might be the reason why they got blocked--or if not a possibility.I don't understand why women would need these websites, there are plenty of free resources like local hospitals and doctors who are generally completely fine with abortion.
- flaviolivolsi3 minutes ago
 "Both options are free of charge and free of judgement, especially the latter"You sure about that? Unfortunately there's a thing called "obiezione di coscienza" (TL;DR: doctors opposing abortion because they're catholics). Feel free to translate this article: <a href="https://www.editorialedomani.it/fatti/aborto-obiezione-coscienza-mappa-italia-diritto-ivg-regioni-destra-ru486-fd51r9le" rel="nofollow">https://www.editorialedomani.it/fatti/aborto-obiezione-cosci...</a>
 - altern81 minute ago
 That's like 1 out of 1000 doctors, just go to another doctor. And even if that wasn't the case, what is the government supposed to do about that?
altern814 minutes ago
I couldn't find a lot of information, but abortion is a right in Italy.Women seeking terminations in the first 90 days of pregnancy are protected under law 194.From what I got, these organizations illegally sent women abortion pills.At least when I was young and still living in Italy, you could walk into a hospital and they'd give you abortion pills or day after pills for free.I guess it has to be a hospital/doctor and not a random website?Not sure.
- gpderetta2 minutes ago
 It is indeed legal, but gynaecologists can object to help for conscientious reasons (65% do) and in quite a few hospitals, 100% do object, especially in the south. So in practice access to it is not always that easy.
khalic26 minutes ago
What’s this fixation of far-right populists on genitals and reproduction? It’s really disturbing
- joshuaheard6 minutes ago
 The issue with abortion is that some think the fetus deserves legal protection because it is equivalent to a human baby. So, they don't think it should be killed. In Italy, abortion is allowed in the first 90 days. After that, it is illegal. These websites were providing abortion pills to be used past the 90 day period, which is illegal.So, these websites were being blocked because they were engaged in illegal activity.
- whateverboat14 minutes ago
 As other commenter said, control over women. But this is not just some desperate attempt, but a way to get back to the roots.
- fhdkweig20 minutes ago
 Controlling reproduction means controlling women. Controlling women seems to be a high priority for crotchety old men. But that doesn't really answer your question, it just rephrases it.I think it is like anorexia. Someone who has no control over their own lives tries to control the few things they can. An anorexic controls their food, but a married man controls his wife and kids. It makes even the weakest person feel strong to have someone to boss around.
 - philipov8 minutes ago
 I don't think you need an analogy like that to explain why people want to control women. They want to control women for the same reason they want to control men. Is it any mystery why people seek power? Those with power can decide how to distribute the resources of the society in a way that preferences them and their inner circle.Access to reproduction is one of the most basic resources a society has available. It is common for the old men to control the young men by being the ones to decide who gets access to women. "Work for us loyally, and we'll allow you to get married"
 - fhdkweig3 minutes ago
 I don't think they are trying to control men. I'm not seeing any evidence of that. When I see a law that attacks women, it is very clearly targeted towards women, but I don't see anything that clearly targets men.
 - nailer3 minutes ago
 > Access to reproduction is one of the most basic resources a society has available.The topic is not access to reproduction. Nobody is controlling access to pregnancy.> the ones to decide who gets access to women.Nor is access to women.
 - skrebbel12 minutes ago
 > crotchety old menSuch as Giorgia Meloni?
 - lolgab2 minutes ago
 The first thing she did in office was a order to be called "il signor presidente", masculine of the correct "la signora presidente". She's not an old man but behaves as such and the fascist side of her support is strongly misogynist.
 - fhdkweig9 minutes ago
 I don't know what is going on in Italy, but that's why we are doing it in America.
salemh20 minutes ago
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