Malta’s Democracy: Failing Women by Design
Imagine this: Malta’s Parliament, a grand neoclassical building in Valletta, buzzing with activity. Yet, among the 67 MPs, only 13 are women. That’s just 19%. It’s not a great day for democracy when half of your population is underrepresented, is it?
Malta’s Political scene: A Man’s World
Malta’s political scene is dominated by two main parties, Labour and Nationalist. Both have made strides in women’s representation, but they’ve a long way to go. The Labour Party, currently in power, has the highest number of women MPs, yet they make up only 25% of their parliamentary group. The Nationalist Party fares worse, with women constituting just 12% of their MPs.
This isn’t a new problem. Malta’s first female MP was elected in 1947, and it took until 2017 for women to reach that 19% mark. At this rate, parity seems like a distant dream, not a reality within our lifetime.
Why the Gender Gap Persists
So, why are women still struggling to gain equal footing in Malta’s political arena? The reasons are complex and intertwined.
Cultural Attitudes: Malta’s conservative society still grapples with traditional gender roles. Women are often expected to prioritize family and home over careers, especially politics, which can be demanding and time-consuming.
Party Structures: Political parties, despite their manifestos, often lack internal mechanisms to promote women’s candidacies. Selection processes can be opaque, favoring established figures, usually men.
Funding: Running for office can be expensive. Women, who often bear the brunt of unpaid care work, may find it harder to access the financial resources needed for campaigns.
Breaking the Barrier
Change won’t happen overnight, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few initiatives that could help:
Quotas: Adopting gender quotas could help boost women’s representation. Some parties have already implemented them, but they need to be mandatory and enforced.
Mentorship Programs: Pairing aspiring female politicians with experienced mentors could provide the support and guidance needed to navigate the political scene.
Community Engagement: Encouraging more women to participate in local politics and community organizations can foster the next generation of leaders.
As Malta gears up for the next general election, scheduled for 2024, let’s not forget the half of our population that’s still underrepresented. Let’s demand better from our political parties and ourselves. Because democracy isn’t truly democratic until everyone has an equal say.
