Feminist Activist Bonino, Who Led Italy’s Abortion Legalization, Dies in Country with Strong Catholic Influence

[Financial News] Feminist activist Emma Bonino, who led the legalization of abortion in Italy, where the Catholic Church has strong influence, has died.
ANSA and other outlets reported on the 11th (local time) that Italy’s liberal party +Europa, to which Bonino belonged, announced her death that day and paid tribute, saying, "She fought against illegal abortions, world hunger, the oppression of party politics, female genital mutilation, punitive justice, genocide and all forms of authoritarianism."
Bonino entered politics as a member of the Radical Party and played a leading role in legalizing abortion in 1978. She recalled undergoing an abortion at age 26, when it was illegal, as the most humiliating experience of her life.
Bonino was elected to the lower house six times and the Senate twice. She also served as a European Union commissioner, Italy’s foreign minister and trade minister under center-left governments in the 2000s and 2010s.
Despite differing with the Catholic Church on issues including abortion and euthanasia, Bonino maintained a close relationship with Pope Francis. During her lifetime, Bonino said that Pope Francis had encouraged her to continue her humanitarian struggle.  

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Specialist Reporter