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The Fertility Day Fiasco

The Italian Health Minister’s latest blunder is so spectacular it defies belief

I have tried hard not to rag on Beatrice Lorenzin. I did not rag on her when she claimed that the high incidence of cancer in some areas in the south of Italy was linked to unhealthy eating, rather than the presence of toxic waste. When she opposed the legalisation of cannabis on grounds that “children might use it”, I let it slide. But now Beatrice Lorenzin, Italy’s Minister of Health, has approved and promoted a campaign that treats all women as little more than walking incubators, people who should hurry up and have children for the sake of the country.

It’s called Fertility Day: ostensibly an initiative in favour of reproductive health, in fact a straight-up attack on the idea that fertility and the body are a private matter. The initiative, slated for September 22nd, was promoted through a series of “postcards” that are among the most offensive things I’ve ever seen. The campaign’s website has been down for some time and has now been replaced by a still image, but I have a few gems saved. Here they are.

“Beauty knows no age. Fertility does.”

I wouldn’t let my mum get away with this, much less the government. This is beyond ridiculous:

“Hurry up! Don’t wait for the stork.”

It is unclear who they think their target audience is, here. Adults do not believe that children are brought by storks: in fact, adults generally have a clear idea of how fertility works, and whether or not they should “hurry up” and reproduce. The government should not be in the business of hurrying people, but rather of giving its citizens the full range of choices, something that (and I’ll get to that later) Italy is not currently doing. At all.

“Young parents. The best way to be creative.”

If that sounds like a non-sequitur that’s because it is.

“Fertility is a common good.”

No kidding. My womb is public property. Like water. Right?

“The constitution [sic] protects conscious and responsible procreation.”

And we’re in full-on lie-back-and-think-of-Italy mode here. Also, Constitution should be capitalised.

And if that weren’t enough, here’s an actual quote from the official document released by the Ministry of Health. No comment needed.