Maltese doctor Natalie Psaila, a family medicine practitioner and co-founder of Doctors for Choice, a pro-choice NGO, was named one of BBC’s 100 Women 2023.
She is the first Maltese woman to be included in the prestigious BBC list.
The list includes 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world who have worked tirelessly for their communities. The list also features green building entrepreneur Basima Abdulrahman, beauty business founder Huda Kattan, scientist and inventor Canan Dagdeviren, AI expert Timnit Gebru and attorney, author, campaigner and former First Lady Michelle Obama, among many others.
Dr Psaila read for her MD at the University of Malta in 2007. She later continued her studies and training and became a specialist in family medicine in 2023. She is also the woman behind ‘My Body’s Fantastic Journey’ a sex education book for children aged 10 to 13, that discusses puberty, biology, consent, sexualities, contraception and more.
The list includes a short description highlighting the women’s contribution to society. In Dr Psaila’s case, BBC remarked on her activism. It added that "Malta has some of the strictest rules on abortion in Europe and Natalie Psaila helps women who need information and advice.
In addition, BBC mentioned the helpline, established by Dr Psaila and two other doctors, for pregnant women that are considering termination of pregnancy.
