Malta’s Political Arena: A Growing Stage for Women

Picture this: the grand, historic Auberge de Castille, now the Office of the Prime Minister, buzzing with a record number of women politicians. This was the scene in 2020, when Malta’s Parliament saw an rare 31% female representation, a significant leap from the previous 17%. But the question remains: how much further can we go, and what challenges lie ahead for women in Maltese politics?

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Malta’s Progress

Malta’s journey towards gender parity in politics has been a slow but steady one. In 1966, when Malta gained independence, only 2% of our parliamentarians were women. Fast forward to 2020, and we’ve seen a tenfold increase, thanks to concerted efforts by political parties and civil society. The introduction of gender quotas by the Labour Party in 2012, for instance, has significantly boosted female representation.

Malta’s political scene is seeing more women taking on leadership roles. In 2019, the Labour Party elected Miriam Dalli as its first female deputy leader. The Nationalist Party, too, has seen women like Kristy Debono and Beppe Fenech Adami rise through the ranks. But despite these milestones, Malta still lags behind other EU countries in terms of women’s political participation.

The Roadblocks: Challenges Faced by Women in Politics

So, what’s holding us back? A 2020 study by the University of Malta found that Maltese women face several barriers to political participation, including patriarchal attitudes, work-life balance issues, and lack of mentorship. women in politics often face online harassment and sexist remarks, with a 2019 survey revealing that 60% of Maltese women politicians have experienced this.

Take, for example, the case of former MP Marlene Farrugia, who faced relentless online trolling during her time in politics. In an interview, she noted, “It’s not just about the abuse; it’s about the constant fear that it instills in you and your family.” Incidents like these underscore the need for stronger measures to protect women in politics.

Paving the Way Forward: Initiatives and Solutions

Despite these challenges, there’s a growing momentum for change. Initiatives like ‘Political Start’, a project by the University of Malta’s Institute for European Studies, are empowering young women to enter politics. Meanwhile, the ’50/50 Parliament’ campaign, led by the Nationalist Party, aims to increase female representation in Parliament to 50% by 2030.

the government’s recent introduction of the ‘Ivana’ law, which criminalizes online harassment, is a significant step towards creating a safer digital space for women. However, more needs to be done, including stricter enforcement of existing laws and increased awareness about online harassment.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that Malta has the potential to become a trailblazer in women’s political empowerment. But to get there, we need to tackle the root causes of gender inequality, support women in politics, and foster a culture of respect and inclusivity.

As former MP and women’s rights activist Deborah Schembri puts it, “We’ve come a long way, but we’re not there yet. We need to keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep supporting each other. Because when one woman wins, we all win.”