In Italy, more and more doctors are refusing to carry out abortions
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00:00 In this hospital in Umbria, central Italy, nearly 80% of gynecologists refuse to carry out medical abortions.
00:07 For this abortion rights activist, it's a shocking statistic.
00:10 "Here we are in front of Perugia hospital, the largest in Umbria,
00:14 where medical abortions should be taught and carried out, but are not.
00:18 In Catholic universities, which are the best universities,
00:21 there's no mention of abortion or contraception.
00:24 And when you start, they make you sign a document to refuse carrying out abortions on moral grounds."
00:30 A legal provision in Italy that puts many women in desperate situations across the country.
00:36 This 44-year-old mother had to come to a family planning clinic here in Marche, central Italy,
00:42 as no doctor in her local area would carry out an abortion.
00:46 "I made several phone calls. People said, 'Call the doctor. He's not in.
00:53 Make an appointment. Call back later.'
00:55 I called around other towns like Pesaro and Ancona.
00:59 No one would prescribe me abortion pills.
01:01 I watched the days go by. I was desperate."
01:04 Abortions in Italy have been on the decline for the past 20 years,
01:09 with 5.4 for every 1,000 women according to the latest figures.
01:13 It's one of the lowest rates in Europe.