Wednesday, 10th June 2009 - 17:43CET
Malta is only EU state without female MEP
The Malta Confederation of Women's Organisations (MCWO) has expressed its disappointment that none of the women candidates fielded by Malta's political parties were elected in this round of elections for the European Parliament.
"This was not due to their lack of qualifications and capabilities of becoming MEPs but rather shows how invisible barriers still hamper women's access to the political sphere.This is because the electorate often reflects and acts on traditional gender stereotypes by choosing men who till now have been the main incumbents of the world of politics in Malta," the confederation said.
It said that Malta was the only EU state that did not manage to ensure a more balanced representation of its electorate.
"The MCWO trusts that the newly elected MEPs will not just pay lip service to their commitment towards gender equality but will prove to be real champions by putting this issue high on their agenda. This is fundamental for economic growth and social cohesion," the confederation said,
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if that is the case and ok it does happen ,when voting I would like to have the best person represent me(irrelevant of sex) not because they are top on the ballot paper.Both parties had very valid female candidates and on both sides we had women doing well almost till the very end,therefore I doubt that most people voted for male candidates thinking the females are less capable.
Maybe a study should be carried out on this,just like the parties and the media do their polls,asking for the party of preference,in this case given both are capable would people vote for a male or female candidate?
Actually there was a female with her surname starting with an A and she wasnt elected.
The thing is that a huge number of Maltese are still a bit reluctant to give a job, which normally or traditionally is more linked to a man, to a woman.
There were a number of valid females on the list on both sides. So the choice was ours. I personally voted for a woman.
The only time you see Maltese women prefering a woman over a man is when they need a hard hitting lawyer who will send their cheating husbands to the cleaners isn't it ?
What about Abela Baldacchino Claudette?
Wasn't she on top of the list?
Abela Baldacchino Claudette
You don't get ahead of that easily, alphabetically speaking. In fact thousands of PL votes started with 1 at the top and continued all the way down in numerical order. 50+% of voters are women. And still Ms Abela Baldachhino was not elected. That is why people are allowed to express their preferences. Those who can read, and think, choose who they think is most suited.
It is a pity, yes that Maltese women are not represented in the European Parliament and this also goes to Maltese MEPs in the other political groups. I told you "free your mind - think European" but the Maltese are still too ignorant to understand the European political system and now we have to wait for another five years ha! ha! ha!. Do we learn after another five years?
Equality means choosing the best people regardless of whether they are men or women.
Both Roberta Tedesco and Marthese Portelli on the PN side and Marlene Mizzi and Claudette Baldacchino on the PL side would have done us proud.
Unfortunately Europe will after this vote deepen their suspicion that we are a male dominated society and that there is gender discrimination in our small island.
However I have a sneaking suspicion that amongst other considerations it is the womanfolk of this country which does not give the expected level of support to their own gender. It might be that s they are envious of successful women who can balance traditional female roles with successful and onerous political and public involvement .
Authorities have also not been very forthcoming. Why not have a woman nominee for the ECJ .
this is just more proof