Abstract

The aim of this paper is to offer a reconstruction, also in historical terms, of the debate that, outside and inside the Italian Parliament, accompanied the tormented process of approval of Law 194/1978, which abrogated the previous fascist discipline on the subject, establishing some conditions that allow women to access to legal and safe abortion. In this context, attention will be paid to the contribution of the feminist movement, in its various approaches. Finally, the problems related to the application of the law will be examined, in particular those arising from the massive adhesion of Italian gynecologists to the legal clause of conscientious objection.