Thursday, 19th February 2009
Gender equality in Parliament
It is indeed disappointing that in Malta there are only six female parliamentary representatives out of a total of sixty-nine. This translates into the rather poor percentage of 8.7%, well below the 30% female parliamentary representatives recommended by the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action 2005-2015 and the target set at Beijing in 1995 by the United Nations Organization. Furthermore, at present, all the Maltese Members of the European Parliament are males.
The presence of women in Parliament enriches the democratic process. Female parliamentarians ensure that a woman’s vision of the world, which is different from that of males, finds voices to articulate it in the highest and most powerful national institution. We should celebrate this different female vision of the world and ensure that it is not driven into the background by the preponderance of males in Parliament.
This brings us to the crucial question : “Why does Malta have such a small number of female parliamentarians?” First of all, one has to take tradition into consideration. Politics has always been regarded in Malta as predominantly a male domain. Secondly, for many women with young children it is really difficult to combine raising a family with the time necessary for campaigning and other political commitments. Thirdly, many women today have a part-time or even full-time job and this takes up quite a substantial slice of the time available for political activities. All these factors, taken together, bring about the undesirable situation that we have today.
One must pay tribute to the only female leader of a political party in Malta to date. I am, of course, referring to Mabel Strickland whose memory should serve as an inspiration to all aspiring female politicians. As the leader of the Progressive Constitutional Party, Mabel Strickland was actively involved in all the major historical events associated with the Independence period in Malta.
The Labour Party (PL) has many firsts in the field of females elected or appointed to posts of political power on a national basis. The first female representative elected to (what was then) the Legislative Assembly was Agatha Barbara in 1947. In 1955, she was also the first female to become a Minister and, in 1982, the first female to become President of the Republic. In 1996, Myriam Spiteri Debono was appointed by the Alfred Sant administration as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Labour Party is eager to continue its pro-active stance towards more female representatives in Parliament. In fact, in its Pjan Ghal Bidu Gdid prior to the 2008 General Election, Labour was suggesting that in the House of Representatives there should be an increase in the number of parliamentary seats on both sides of the House, as a quota, so that the number of female representatives in Parliament will increase. This Labour proposal was a very positive one as it meant doing something concrete to advance the cause of more female representatives in the Maltese Parliament.
The Nationalist Party and Alternattiva Demokratika also espouse the cause of having more female parliamentary representation. It is heartening to see that the Nationalist Cabinet of Dr Lawrence Gonzi includes two female Ministers, Giovanna Debono and Dolores Cristina. Indeed, this is a case where there is total agreement among Maltese political parties and this should augur well for more concrete work in the right direction on this important issue.
As gender equality becomes, little by little, the order of the day in our highest national institution, Parliament, we can even start dreaming of the day, albeit in the rather distant future, when Malta will have its first female Prime Minister. Are there any young women out there who dream of this possibility? It could be you. Why not?
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Comments
My comment was a harmless joke that did not approve violence against women in any way. Your comment, on the other hand spoke about beating me "to a pulp". You should be able to appreciate the difference.
You allege without a trace of proof , that I am not "willing to give to allow women a chance to enter male dominated industries". I deny that because my stance is that women of merit have already repeatedly proved that they are equal to men in most spheres of life up to President of the Republic.
You have avoided proving your bland assertion to the contrary.
what is also not original is suggesting that a woman loosen up, so as to accept the suggestion of violence against women as a joke.
Its not funny guys and its in an entirely different sphere to Irish jokes and 'men are stupid' jokes.
Also what is far from original also is suggesting that because 'a' woman sent it that it all good. Hunky dory.
This highly unimaginative 'excuse' and slights on my character (which expose how weak YOU think your points are) does not change how inappropriate a 'joke' like that is in a forum of equality.
This is my opinion. I never will find jokes about beating a woman so bad that she cannot see or talk for three days ...funny.
It so unsexy of you all. So unlike gentlemen. What are you proud of and why are you defending this?
And to Martinelli, who had to imply that my mind is not as composed as his, the 2 and 1 thing is about as convincing as a punch in the face. It hurts but it does not change my mind.
You may respect violence ... but I don't.
Saliba’s joke was not an original one; it had been doing the rounds on emails for a long time. Men and children are also commonly targeted in English humour and accepted for what it is, no gender is demeaned about it. The Irish are the prime victims (?) in English jokes and they, the Irish, actually share the fun and yes it also includes Paddy hitting his wife Mary for not chilling his beer to his taste and Mary hitting Paddy because he doesn’t perform to her expectations in bed.
What I found in bad taste was the way Dr. Saliba referred to Bormla instead of Malta when the joke was on Canadians, Germans and others. A case of class distinction? I don’t think so. Maybe it’s my suspicious nature.
The first two ladies, dominated their men and managed to make them carry out what they demanded them to do.
The lady from Bormla was not so lucky.
So, by my count, the ladies won 2 to 1.
What else other than a joke can you describe Dr. Saliba's attempt at some humour, for a change of pace?
Incidentally that same joke was sent to me and I can guarantee you that the language used, in Maltese, was far coarser than " F'wicc ommu"
You will be doubly surprised to find out that the joke, which has been making the rounds, was sent to me - guess by whom - a woman!
In the name of gender equality I beg you Ingrid, to loosen up a bit and if you happen to come across a joke demeaning men in general, do send it along. It will not offend us since we receive lots of them very regularly and we just treat them as a mere joke like they are intended to be!
So I pose the question to you a second time Sir.
Can you articulate exactly what is funny about the wife beating joke please?
Let me guess - you are a member of the fair, gentle sex! I warned you that it was a joke and that it was intended for adults and adolescents only - you should have skipped it!.
An "equality" that I would never dream of recommending for ladies in any "male dominated industry" would be that of "beating up people to a pulp" - but you know "De gustibus non est discutandum"
It is a proven fact that women have made their mark from President of the Republic, the professions and heads of departments. Do you want me to mention names? Apart from "beating people to a pulp" what other "male dominated industry" did you have in mind where ladies are discriminated against?
Your touch of humour deserves to have you beaten to a pulp in front of an audience of abused women. I for one will be the first to find it humorous. What on earth could compel you to suggest that such a joke is actually humorous.
And your vote against positive discrimination shows how much you are willing to give to allow women a chance to enter male dominated industries......nothing.
You say
It has been abundantly proven that the ladies are just as successful as their male counterparts in all walks of life.
when it is painfully untrue.
Jokes about beating up women should illustrate more clearly than anything so far written that equality is far from achieved on this island.
"I agree that many people's voting choices are based on irrational reasons, often linked to the condemnable clientelism that pervades Maltese politics".
Thanks for reminding me of two Ministers in particular, and who held office between 1971 and 1987. I need not go into much detail since I will surely be censored. I will not even go into the works of how, at a fee to MLP clubs, applicants for a colour TV were able to 'jump the queue and get their 'one brand TV' ahead of others. Talk about clientelism!
They were proof positive of your slanted statement.
I would have first disassociated myself from such practices, then heed the adage that, 'he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones', earning you the right to condemn such practices from wherever they emanate.
Dez get a grip man and stop steering this blog away from today's point at issue. Digging and looking for past injustices is the sole prerogative of Saliba,Martinelli & Friends.
Please respect the intelligence of your readers and stop steering this blog away from today's point at issue, raised by yourself - Gender Equality in Parliament - towards blatant political propaganda based on events of sixty years ago.
The issue was not who granted the vote to whom and when.
The issue, raised by none other than yourself is the participation of women in Parliament.
The explanation you just gave, below, is another issue which had nothing to do with your original article.
There are many women (and men) of the era you brought up, who even today do not really understand our political system let alone the many issues of today and yet vote because they either like a face or are indoctrinated by political parties one of which excelled by organizing women, and children at an early age and instilled in them a loyalty to the party, which is hard to erase even if some party policies run counter to their very interest .
In today's world it is not only desirable that women participate more in political circles but also necessary for them to join the workforce and contribute positively to their own families and the economy in general. In the last few years the trend has been positive although not as fast as one would wish.
It has been abundantly proven that the ladies are just as successful as their male counterparts in all walks of life. It is a grave injustice for present and future lady appointees to suffer the stigma that they could not hold their posts on their own merits but only as a result of a preferential and discriminatory treatment at the expense of other equally meritorious male candidates.
When vying for a fixed number of positions, imposing a (female) quota prevents equally qualified men from competing. What kind of democracy is that?
The problem lies with the grass roots. Women have to wake up and be prepared to participate and not be pushed into taking part half heartedly. Today's woman knows very well that equal opportunities exist and is mirrored by the fact that the majority of those attending law courses are indeed female. It proves that there is an increasing number of women who are choosing the profession rather than a mundane job.
The more women participate in political affairs, the better their chances of being elected, but they cannot bemoan the situation if they distance themselves from this opportunity to serve.
The MLP's 'firsts' in women participation is more coincidental than anything else except that the NP always striven to have most qualified MPs. In earlier days they happened to be men.
Today's situation is quite different and gradually we will see more women serving as MPs on both sides of the House.
A very unreliable report from a conference of the International Society for Positive Discrimination for Women.
The delegate from Canada reported:
Following our last resolution I went straight to my husband and told him "From tomorrow you cook your own breakfast". For the first day I saw nothing but on the morning after he cooked his own breakfast and brought me my breakfast in bed". Cheers!
The next speaker from Germany announced that she had straightaway warned her husband he would have to do the cooking and the house cleaning. For the first two days she saw nothing but thereafter the husband did the cooking and the house cleaning. Applause! Applause!
The next speaker, from Bormla, described how she also had put her foot down insisting that her husband would do the shopping, the cooking and the wash.
"For the first day I saw nothing, For the second day I saw nothing and also for the third day. By the fourth day I started to see a little because I could open my right eye a little. F'wicc ommu" (Anyway that is what it sounded like through her still swollen lips!
Boo! Boo!
Sharon Ellul Bonici, Maria Camilleri, Marlene Mizzi, Claudette Abela Baldacchino.
The PL as a progressive party, has always been first in introducing more women in politics.
1947 - Agatha Barbara
1950 - Agatha Barbara, Mabel Strickland, Cecilia De Trafford Strickland
1951 - Agatha Barbara, Mabel Strickland, Cecilia De Trafford Strickland, Fanny Attard Bezzina
1953 - Agatha Barbara
1955 - Agatha Barbara
1962 - Agatha Barbara, Mabel Strickland
1966 - Agatha Barbara, Evelyn Bonaci
1971 - Agatha Barbara, Evelyn Bonaci
1976 - Agatha Barbara, Evelyn Bonaci, Anne Agius Ferrante
1981 - Agatha Barbara, Ċettina Darmenia Brincat
1987 - Giovanna Debono, Carmen Sant
1992 - Giovanna Debono
1996 - Giovanna Debono, Helena Dalli, Helen D'Amato, Maria Camilleri
1998 - Giovanna Debono, Helena Dalli, Helen D'Amato, Marie Louise Coleiro, Dolores Cristina, Rita Law
2003 - Giovanna Debono, Helena Dalli, Helen D'Amato, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Dolores Cristina, Justyne Caruana
2008 - Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Giovanna Debono, Helena Dalli (two districts), Dolores Cristina (two districts), Marlene Pullicino, Justyne Caruana