Dr. Isabel Stabile and Dr. Natalie Psaila Stabile are key figures in the struggle for reproductive rights in Malta, a country known for having some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Their work—both medical and activist—makes them uniquely valuable voices at any abortion rights conference.

The Maltese Context

Malta has a total abortion ban, meaning abortion is illegal in almost all circumstances, including rape, incest, or danger to the woman’s life (until very recently, even life-threatening cases faced legal uncertainty). It is the only EU country with such an absolute ban. In this context, Isabel and Natalie have shown extraordinary courage and leadership in pushing for reproductive justice and safe abortion access.

Dr. Natalie Psaila Stabile

• Specialist in Family Medicine. 
• Co-founder and leading member of Doctors for Choice Malta and vocal advocate for reproductive rights. 
• Co-founded with Isabel, the Abortion Doula Service in Malta, a telemedicine abortion support service, working directly with people seeking abortion care. 
• Advocates for decriminalization, education, and compassion in reproductive care. 
• She exemplifies the tangible impact that restrictive abortion laws exert on both patients and healthcare providers. 
• She is well-positioned to articulate the daily challenges associated with providing ethical, evidence-based care within a highly restrictive legal framework, often confronting potential personal and professional consequences.

Mother and daughter Stabile embody resistance within systems of silence and criminalization. Their presence brings attention to Malta, a country often overlooked in broader abortion rights conversations. They highlight the power of cross-border networks, such as Women on Web and Women Help Women, demonstrating how even in legal deserts, care finds a way. Their participation would inspire and energize activists, professionals, and policy-makers working in similarly hostile or conservative contexts.