Pakistan, July 14 -- A new law in Sicily is reigniting debate across Italy by requiring public hospitals to offer abortion services, directly challenging the high number of doctors refusing to perform them. The legislation, passed in May by a centre-right coalition, mandates the creation of dedicated abortion wards and the hiring of non-objecting medical staff.

Abortion has been legal in Italy since 1978, but in regions like Sicily, access remains difficult due to widespread moral objections. More than 80% of gynecologists in Sicily refuse to perform abortions, often leaving women in distress during critical moments of their pregnancies.

One such case is Monia, a Sicilian woman who faced heartbreaking obstacles when she chose to termina...