The Network of Young Women Leaders has condemned Tony Zarb's comments about female protesters currently camping outside Castille,

The group posted an open letter addressed to Zarb on their Facebook page.

"You had the audacity to call women sluts for protesting. You, a trade unionist and long-term secretary general of the General Workers' Union, should know that protesting is a basic human right enshrined in Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and plays an important part in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural life of all democratic societies."

"So, what's a 'slut' for you, then? Is it interchangeable for 'vocal', 'outspoken' and 'women who get out of the house?' So, what's a 'slut', then? It's any of us, and all of us - especially those of us who step out of line in some way real or imaginary. It has little to do with the number of our sexual partners, or the way we dress or flirt, or if we take birth control or not."

"It's a warning more than a word - a reminder to women that we must adhere to the narrow standards of femininity and sexuality set out for us, or be punished accordingly. And in that way, the real meaning of 'slut' is terrifyingly clear."

"It seems like women and girls can't win with you - we're sluts or we're prudes, and even if we own and enjoy our sexuality, it can still be used against us. Mr. Zarb, calling women sluts has nothing to do with sex - it's about control. It is so evident that you are so uncomfortable and anxious over the idea of girls and women being in control, being agents, and having power, that you think that deriding us as sluts is going to 'police' us."

"Mr. Zarb, calling us 'sluts' and 'prostitutes' will not silence us. It will not shame us anymore. We refuse to grow weary of being silenced."

"Not only will we not allow an attempt to shut us up and control us. Additionally, we will not allow the slut-shaming of brave women who are exercising their right. We will not allow our sexuality or lack of it to be used against us. We will not allow the utilisation and/or humiliation of our sisters who, for some reason or another, are in the sex trade. They are human beings, and you will not use a term used to describe their situation to ridicule us or shame us. We stand united as women, against slut-shamers, like you."

"Lastly, here's to all the women and children who, throughout their lives, have been called 'sluts', regardless of their virginity or lack of it. Here's to all the women who have been told that somehow a penis changes who you are. Here's to all the women who have been called 'easy', a notch on a belt. Here's to all the women, who were told that being 'second-hand' material is not attractive to a man - gentle reminder that we are not your cars or furniture. Here's to all of the women who have been told their value is held in their virginity. Here's to all of the women who fought back. Then rose up and proceeded to succeed, and be vocal, in every area of life."