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Witness History: Fighting for legal abortion in Italy

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Fighting for legal abortion in Italy

19/09/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Fighting for legal abortion in Italy

In 1978, campaigners won their fight to legalise abortion in Italy despite the opposition

Campaigners won their long fight to legalise abortion in Italy in 1978. Emma Bonino went on hunger strike and was jailed for her part in the movement, which led her into politics.

In 1978, campaigners won their long fight to legalise abortion in Italy. Emma Bonino and other members of the Radical Party went on hunger strike and were even jailed, after helping women access illegal abortions across the country. 

But they faced fierce opposition in the Catholic country, as the church was heavily integrated into Italian politics.

Emma Bonino was so passionate about the cause that it led her to become a politician. She speaks to Reena Stanton-Sharma about her role in the campaign. 

(Photo: Emma Bonino in 1976. Credit: Vittoriano Rastelli/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

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