Malta’s Parliament: Where Are the Women?
Malta’s Parliament: A Sea of Blue, Where Are the Women?
In the grand, neoclassical Parliament building in Valletta, the hum of debate echoes through the halls. A sea of blue suits fills the chamber, but where are the women? Out of 67 members, only 13 are women. This stark imbalance is not unique to Malta; it’s a global issue. But in 2021, we’re asking: how can we change this?
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Malta’s Trailblazers
Malta has had its share of trailblazing women. The first woman to enter Parliament was Carmela Camilleri in 1947. Today, we have women like Miriam Dalli, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development, and Claudette Buttigieg, Mayor of Birkirkara, breaking glass ceilings. But they’re still the exception, not the norm.
Dr. Maria Attard, a political scientist at the University of Malta, explains, “Malta’s political culture is still heavily influenced by traditional gender roles. Parties often prioritize electability over gender balance when selecting candidates.”
Quotas and Initiatives: A Path Forward
Many countries have implemented quotas to increase women’s representation. Could Malta follow suit? The Labour Party has a 30% quota for women, but the Nationalist Party does not. Dr. Attard believes, “A legal quota could help, but it’s not a silver bullet. We also need cultural change and better representation in party structures.”
Initiatives like ‘Politica’, a project encouraging women to enter politics, are making strides. Founder, Dr. Maria Pisani, says, “We need to challenge stereotypes and provide women with the tools and confidence to run for office.”
Street Art and Symbols: Malta’s Women in Politics
In the heart of Valletta, a mural of Malta’s first female Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff’s wife, Judy, serves as a reminder of women’s political history. It’s a symbol of progress, but also a stark reminder of how far we still have to go.
: Malta’s Next Election
With the next election looming, the question remains: will Malta elect more women? The answer lies not just in party policies, but in our collective will to challenge gender norms and create a parliament that truly represents us all.
As Dr. Maria Attard puts it, “We need to start seeing women in politics as the norm, not the exception. Because when women lead, we all win.”
