In March 2014, the Maltese electorate gave a resounding thumbs-up to four female Maltese candidates out of the six elected to the European Parliament. A month later the second female President of Malta was sworn into office.
It is with great satisfaction that one notes such a positive leap towards gender parity in Maltese politics.
During the same month, a ‘Women in Politics Map 2014’ was launched during a seminar in New York by the IPU and UN Women Organisations. It acknowledged that while progress is being made as regards to female representation in parliaments worldwide, significant challenges remain. It highlighted the fact that political parties remain key drivers to setting the agenda on issues of participation and representation.
The success of the result of the March MEP election from a gender point of view should not make us rest on our laurels. Upholding the gender balance is going to be a challenge for our political parties. If they fail this challenge they will fail at producing more progressive proposals, policies and legislation.
Every election is a unique opportunity to register progress in the increased participation of women as voters and candidates. Campaigns are also excellent opportunities to further raise awareness on issues such as gender-based violence, economic discrimination and harmful traditional practices.
The Nationalist Party has set itself an ambitious target of trying to achieve gender parity for candidates being presented for national elections.
The word “ambitious” here is key, since despite the party’s best efforts to encourage women to enter the fray, Maltese women seem to still struggle to accept a role in political life. Granted that taking the first step is never easy and that for women to succeed in politics they have to learn to adapt very fast. However the satisfaction derived from contributing on party, local and national levels is immense and thoroughly advocated.
As the country draws close to officially celebrating Malta’s 50 years of independence, these celebrations should provide food for thought for all Maltese women. We can celebrate womanhood in so many different ways but what better way to commemorate such an important milestone in our history than by dedicating ourselves to public life? Our country requires our input and it is definitely time to give something back!
As women we can address the concerns, needs and interests of all our family members and these concerns certainly span a wide spectrum of sectors ranging from the economy, education and health to the environment, the EU and work opportunities.
The Nationalist Party’s Women Movement (MNPN) is happy to help and support anyone interested in joining the party, in contesting local and/or general elections on the party’s ticket. In many cases we have a wealth of women leaders out there who simply need that gentle nudge to embrace their inner leadership potential and contribute on a much wider level.
We have a wealth of women leaders out there
MNPN is proud to have supported female members who have eventually gone on to serve on a national level with important national portfolios. MNPN maintains close contact with the party’s administrative and executive arms to ensure that gender issues which are relevant to our society in general are not only discussed but also addressed at the highest institutions in our country.
MNPN welcomes the opportunity to meet with women and to discuss any concerns they may have before committing themselves to the party and the country.
As pointed out earlier, keeping the balance in our institutions is going to be of paramount importance if we want to ensure that issues that affect us are taken seriously at all levels. Although we were promised the most ‘feminist’ government in history, Joseph Muscat has regrettably failed us and we have seen a sharp decline in female representation on boards and in key positions in the past months. So much for the pre-electoral lip service!
We cannot leave the situation to chance any longer and must ensure our participation and representation. Let’s keep the balance of female representation in Malta on a healthy track by ensuring that our political parties do not have to struggle to field women candidates.
info@carolinegalea.com
Caroline Galea is vice president of the Nationalist Party’s Women Movement.