The importance of a gender-balanced participation in the political field has been a theme addressed by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) on several occasions in both the traditional and non-traditional media.
The opinion of the Maltese was documented in the 2017 Eurobarometer survey where 80 per cent of respondents thought Malta should have more women in politics, making it the top European country with people having this opinion.
Moreover, 78 per cent of the Maltese respondents stated that they are “totally in favour” of legal measures to ensure parity between women and men in politics.
Therefore, there is consensus that there is an urgent need to take action to address this challenge. From research it transpires that in Malta there is a dearth of women candidates willing to contest elections and this for various reasons, among them the lack of family-friendly measures for all stakeholders working in the political field. This is the reality for both women and men members of Parliament who carry family responsibilities.
However, it is even more so with regard to women who, stereotypically, are still considered the main carers.
We tend to forget that fathers not only have a responsibility to care actively for their children but also have a right to enjoy their family life.
Quality time with the family does not necessarily mean taxiing children around Malta
The NCPE has made various recommendations for the attention of the different stakeholders. Among them is the need for family-friendly measures in Parliament.
In fact, the Speaker of the House, back in June 2017 stated that “...I wish to convey the opinion expressed by a number of members that Parliament should meet during family-friendly hours so as to allow them more time with their loved ones”.
To this end, both sides of the House agreed to the gradual introduction of family-friendly hours and this year Parliament started meeting at 4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, instead of 6pm. Earlier meetings might be extended to Mondays in the near future.
This change was implemented to enable all parents to return home at a reasonable time in the evening to be with their family. Quality time with the family does not necessarily mean taxiing children around Malta. This can be shared between the parents or indeed done by other members of the family or friends. Quality time means engaging in activities such as dining together and sharing time before retiring in the evening.
Clearly, the introduction of family-friendlier hours for parliamentary meetings is not enough. If women are expected to bear the larger part of family responsibilities, women MPs will always find it harder to reconcile their Parliamentary duties with their private life. We need to actively challenge gender roles and stereotypes, encourage men to increase their participation in family life.
This will free up time for women to take on other commitments, such as political ones, and enable men to experience fulfilment from taking an active part in their family. There’s a long road ahead, and women should take a leading role in ushering this change.
Family-friendly hours for parliamentary sittings are an important measure that enables MPs not only to reconcile work with family but also to enjoy quality time within the family – the same time empowering more women to enter politics.
This, however, needs to be complemented by a better sharing of family responsibilities between women and men, as well as other measures, such as the provision of childcare within political institutions.
Renee Laiviera is NCPE Commissioner.