Malta’s Political Arena: Where Are the Women?

Picture this: Malta’s Parliament, a grand neoclassical building in the heart of Valletta. It’s a scene of intense debate, yet among the 67 MPs, only 14 are women. This stark reality begs the question: Where are Malta’s women in politics and leadership?

Malta has made strides in gender equality, ranking 12th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report 2021. Yet, when it comes to political representation, we’re lagging. According to the IPU’s Women in National Parliaments, Malta ranks 31st in Europe for women’s parliamentary representation.

Dr. Marie-Louise Aquilina, a political scientist at the University of Malta, attributes this to deep-seated cultural norms. “Malta’s patriarchal society still expects women to bear the brunt of domestic responsibilities, making it challenging for them to enter politics,” she says.

Despite the challenges, there are women leading the way in Malta’s political scene. Consider Miriam Dalli, Malta’s first female Minister for the Environment, who’s driving the country’s green transition. Or Claudette Buttigieg, the first woman to lead a political party in Malta, now serving as an MP for the Labour Party.

Then there’s the grassroots movement, ‘Żgħażagħ Contro l-Istqali’ (Girls Against Inequality), founded by young women like Maria Elena Grech and Maria Gauci. They’re fighting for gender equality, including better representation in politics.

Malta has introduced gender quotas for political candidates, with parties required to field an equal number of men and women. The 2019 election saw an increase in women MPs, but we’re still far from parity.

Initiatives like ‘Political Start’, a project by the University of Malta’s Institute for European Studies, are nurturing young women’s political ambitions. The programme offers training and mentorship, encouraging participants to run for office.

Dr. Aquilina believes that change won’t happen overnight. “It’s a long process that requires sustained effort from all stakeholders,” she says. “But with each woman who enters politics, we’re chipping away at the barriers.”

Malta’s political scene needs your voice. Whether you’re a woman considering a political career, a voter eager for change, or an organization that can support these efforts, your contribution matters. Let’s work together to make Malta’s political arena truly representative of its people.