Despite the fact that Malta was one of the EU member states at the forefront to sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention on Violence Against Women, women in Malta are still not protected from femicide, which is one of the most devastating forms of violence against women and human rights’ violations, emPOWer said.

emPOWer is a platform of 17 women’s organisations brought together by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca to work in collaboration to have a stronger voice on issues impacting women in Malta.

The rate of femicide in Malta is indeed increasing rather than decreasing over the last number of months with yet another brutal murder of a woman last week, the group said.

“The NGO’s within emPOWer are calling on all competent authorities and institutions to show a stronger sense of commitment, immediacy and urgency by focusing seriously and with priority attention on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in Malta to deliver visible results.

emPOWer queries what assessment of security risks are taken when violence is repeatedly reported.

The lack of actions and inadequate enforcement lead to the reasons why violence is repeated and ultimately results in tragic murders of vulnerable women.  There needs to be a well-resourced unit with an adequate budget which is headed by competent persons who are experts in the field in order to make a difference.

No woman should live in fear and be killed by a man because she is a woman.”