As the sun set over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta last week, the political scene of Malta was cast in a new light. The preliminary results of the Nationalist Party’s (PN) leadership election painted a stark picture: a significant drop in candidates, with a notable exception – the rise of women. While the Party of Labour (PL) almost doubled its tally of women candidates, the PN saw a decline in numbers across the board.

The PN’s leadership race, triggered by the resignation of former Prime Minister Adrian Delia, has been a microcosm of the party’s broader challenges. As the results trickled in, it became clear that the party was grappling with a perfect storm of internal divisions and a dwindling candidate pool. Out of the 17 candidates who initially expressed interest, only 10 made it to the final list. Among them, just three were women – a stark contrast to the PL’s 14 women candidates.

But amidst the gloom, a silver lining emerged. The three women candidates – Dr. Roberta Metsola, Dr. Kristy Debono, and Dr. Therese Comodini Cachia – were among the most prominent and well-regarded in the race. Their presence at the top of the PN’s leadership race signals a shift in the party’s demographics and priorities.

Across the political divide, the PL was telling a different story. The party almost doubled its tally of women candidates, fielding 14 in the upcoming general election. This surge in women candidates is part of a broader trend within the PL, which has been actively promoting gender equality and diversity in its ranks.

PL leader Robert Abela has been vocal about his commitment to increasing women’s representation in politics. “We believe in a parliament that reflects our society,” he said in a recent interview. “And in Malta, that means a parliament with more women.” The party’s actions have spoken louder than its words, with a significant increase in women candidates in recent years.

Despite these encouraging trends, Malta’s political gender gap remains a pressing issue. Women make up just 17% of Malta’s parliament, one of the lowest rates in Europe. This disparity is not unique to Malta – it’s a global challenge. But it’s a challenge that Malta, with its progressive social policies and strong commitment to gender equality, is well-placed to address.

As Malta gears up for the general election, the rise of women candidates in both major parties offers a glimmer of hope. But it’s a hope that must be nurtured and supported. It’s a hope that demands action – from political parties, from civil society, and from each and every one of us.

As Dr. Metsola, one of the PN’s women candidates, put it, “We need to see more women in politics, because diversity makes us stronger. Because when half of our population is underrepresented, we’re all the poorer for it.”