Malta’s Political Gender Gap: A Deep Dive into the ‘Personal Circumstances’ Holding Women Back

Imagine walking down Republic Street, Malta’s bustling thoroughfare, and picturing the faces of our political representatives. Now, try to imagine half of them being women. It’s not so easy, is it? Despite making up 51% of Malta’s population, women are significantly underrepresented in our political scene. In the 2020 local council elections, only 19% of candidates were women. So, what’s holding them back?

Breaking Down the Barriers

Political parties often cite ‘personal circumstances’ as the primary reason for the lack of women candidates. But what does that mean? Is it a catch-all phrase masking deeper issues, or a genuine reflection of women’s lives? To understand this, we need to look at Malta’s societal norms and the practicalities of political candidacy.

Balancing Acts: Malta’s Working Mothers

Malta’s women are no strangers to the workplace. Our female employment rate is among the highest in the EU. However, the work-life balance remains a challenge. Childcare services are limited, and the cost of living is high. For many women, the thought of adding political candidacy to their already full plates is daunting.

Take Maria, a 35-year-old mother of two from Msida. She’s active in her community but has no plans to run for council. “I work full-time, and my husband does too,” she says. “We barely have time for each other, let alone a political campaign.”

Party Politics: The Selection Process

Political parties play a crucial role in candidate selection. Some have quotas, others don’t. Those that do often struggle to enforce them. The Labour Party, for instance, has a 30% quota for women but fell short in the 2020 elections. The Nationalist Party has no formal quota but aims for a balanced ticket.

Dr. Maria Attard, a political scientist at the University of Malta, believes party culture is a significant barrier. “Some parties still have old-fashioned views about women’s roles,” she says. “And even when they don’t, the culture of politics – the late nights, the aggressive debate – can be off-putting to women.”

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress. The 2020 elections saw an increase in women candidates compared to 2019. Young women are also stepping up, with more under-35s running than ever before. And initiatives like ‘Politica’, a non-partisan group encouraging women into politics, are gaining traction.

Dr. Attard is optimistic. “We’re seeing more women in leadership roles across society,” she says. “It’s only a matter of time before that translates to politics.”

But time is a luxury Malta’s democracy can’t afford to waste. With each election cycle, the gender gap widens. It’s high time we address the ‘personal circumstances’ holding women back and create a political scene that truly represents all Maltese people.

So, let’s make a pact. Next time you’re on Republic Street, picture not just one or two, but half of the faces you see in council chambers being women. Because that’s the Malta we should be striving for.