Malta’s Political Gender Gap: The ‘Personal Circumstances’ Puzzle

In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling St George’s Square, a familiar scene unfolds. Party officials huddle, campaign posters flutter in the breeze, yet something’s amiss. Among the sea of faces, not a single one belongs to a woman. Welcome to Malta’s political gender gap, where ‘personal circumstances’ seem to hold the key to understanding why.

Numbers Don’t Lie: The Gender Gap in Maltese Politics

Malta’s political scene is dominated by men. In the 2019 European Parliament elections, only 16% of candidates were women. The situation is no better in local councils, with women making up just 17% of councillors. These numbers are stark, especially in a country that prides itself on gender equality and was the first in Europe to give women the right to vote in 1919.

So, what’s behind these figures? Party officials often cite ‘personal circumstances’ as the reason for the lack of female candidates. But what does that mean? Is it a lack of interest, or something more systemic?

Unpacking ‘Personal Circumstances’

‘Personal circumstances’ is a catch-all phrase that can encompass many reasons. Some women might indeed choose not to stand due to personal or family commitments. But dig a little deeper, and other barriers emerge.

Take the case of Dr. Maria Deguara, a lawyer and academic who stood as an independent candidate in the 2019 local council elections in Msida. She faced a barrage of online abuse, including threats of violence. “It’s not just about the time commitment,” she says, “It’s also about the abuse and harassment that comes with it.”

Then there’s the issue of party structures. Many parties are still dominated by older men, who may be less inclined to support or mentor younger women. “It’s a closed shop,” says Dr. Marie Louise Stivala, a political scientist at the University of Malta, “Women need sponsors within the party to get on the ticket, and those sponsors are often men.”

Party Responses and Initiatives

Some parties are taking steps to address the gender imbalance. The Labour Party has introduced quotas for women, with at least 40% of candidates on their electoral lists being women. The Nationalist Party has also pledged to increase the number of women candidates.

But quotas aren’t enough, argues Dr. Stivala. “We need to change the culture within parties, and we need to address the structural barriers that prevent women from standing.” She points to the lack of affordable childcare as one such barrier.

Meanwhile, civil society groups like Womens’ Rights Foundation and Drachma are pushing for more women in politics, offering training and support to women who want to stand.

: A Call for Change

Malta can’t claim to be a truly equal society while half its population is underrepresented in politics. It’s time to unpack ‘personal circumstances’ and address the real barriers to women’s political participation.

So, what can you do? Encourage women you know to stand. Challenge your party to do better. And vote for women when they do. Because until we see more women in politics, our democracy will remain incomplete.

As Dr. Deguara puts it, “We need to send a message that Maltese women are ready to lead, and that Maltese society is ready to support them.”