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The legacy of a new Labour government will be full gender equality and greater female representation at the highest level, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat pledged this evening.

Speaking at a campaign event in Marsascala, Dr Muscat made a direct appeal to female voters, describing the PL electoral programme as a “feminist manifesto” to continue the work of “the most feminist government in history”.

“Past governments paid lip service to equality but dragged their feet on even the most basic measures to tackle domestic violence,” he said. “We come here with a solid track record to back up our promises.”

The PM highlighted past measures to improve female participation in the workplace and reduce poverty among women, as well as improving the conditions of people in precarious employment and tackle longstanding patriarchal structures.

He pointed to electoral pledges to ensure equal pay for equal work and incentivise teleworking and flexible hours, as well as plans for sharing parental leave and putting in place laws to guarantee more women in Parliament, describing the current levels of representation as “ridiculous”.

"A society that doesn’t prize equality – that judges people on their gender, skin colour or sexual orientation – is a broken society. Men and women both stand to benefit from an equal society.”

Dr Muscat also took aim at the PN decision to include Josie Muscat in its candidates list despite controversial past statements on domestic violence.

“We will never accept anyone who says women in abusive relationships may deserve it, or who attempts to justify abuse,” he said. “Such a person has no place in a party that preaches equality. The PN must be desperate if it is ready to accept someone with these unacceptable views.”