Shutting down a Facebook group aimed at helping women deal with day-to-day problems will not end debates by the women, Francesca Fenech Conti, who set up the group, told Times of Malta.

The group – Women for Women – was set up last year by Ms Fenech Conti who had just undergone a major surgery and wanted a space to discuss her concerns with other women. Yesterday, the group was shut down by Facebook which said it had received reports that the group had violated its Terms of Use.

“We can’t say for sure why the group was shut down because Facebook does not give such details, but we believe that this was done to end debates we were having on certain hot issues,” Ms Fenech Conti said.

While she said she had no information on who reported the group, Ms Fenech Conti said she suspected those behind the reports were against recent debates on abortion, the morning-after pill and other issues that directly impacted women’s lives.

“It’s very sad really. The group, which had some 9,000 members, helped a lot of women, be it those being abused domestically to pregnant women wanting to discuss some of their concerns,” Ms Fenech Conti said.

Not wanting to lose the spirit of the group, Ms Fenech Conti has already set up a second group – Women for Women Malta. She said the group provided women with a voice that was very often lacking in Malta.

“Most women would tell me they felt did not feel they could openly discuss certain issues and would only speak up in the group. And that is why I believe we
were shut down.

“But that won’t shut us up. I have set up another group, which already has some 5,000 members. We will not stop debating issues that directly have an effect on us.”