A consultative document published by the government today proposes an increase of 12 women in Malta’s Parliament.

This will take effect as from the next legislature.

The aim is to increase women’s representation in the House of Representatives. As things stand now, there are only 10 women MPs in Parliament, from a total of 67.

Presenting the idea, parliamentary secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli said that the mechanism is put in place when there are fewer than 40% of MPs of a one of the two sexes.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the proposals will define Malta as a country that is all for inclusion. These are ambitious ideas that will increase representation. No person who is elected will lose their place in the House.

Professor Carmen Sammut, the Chairperson of the Technical Committee for the Strengthening of Democracy, who compiled the document, explained the four main pillars of the reformation. 

The reform was described as a historical moment in Maltese politics, as the measures aim towards more equality and voice to the under-represented sex in Parliament.

Sammut said that the amendments proposed do not impinge on the existing electoral process and they are not quotas.

Instead the aim is to integrate a 'Gender Corrective Mechanism', which will give an opportunity to candidates from the under-representated sex to gain experience, exposure and influence in decision making. “We are proposing that additional seats be allocated in the eventuality that the under-represented sex obtains a percentage of less than 40%.”

She said that the maximum number of additional seats proposed is 12 and that this proposal requires Constitutional amendments.

“In the eventuality that both sexes obtain 40%, the proposed mechanisms will not be needed anymore. In the event that less than 40% of the elected members are men, the mechanism will automatically be triggered to their advantage.

She explained that the first in line of the additional seats were those ‘hanging candidates’ from the under-represented sex, who were not elected in the previous election; also that the so called ‘wasted votes’ of the hanging candidates will be utilised to elect a candidate of the under-represented sex to fill the additional seats; and finally the wasted votes of hanging candidates from both sexes elected through a casual election will be utilised to elect a candidate of the under-represented sex.

She said that the “Gender Corrective Mechanism” has a sunset clause of 20 years.

“As a mother of a young child and a politician, I believe many other women can do what I do”: Julia Farrugia Portelli

Parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli said that as a mother of a young child and a politician, she knew what other women felt when contemplating a life of politics. “I understand the fear women have the realities of society, the stigma of being a woman in politics, and the wish for your children to have a good upbringing. Through these measures and courage, we can shake up the system and move forward.” She said that the ‘Gender Corrective Mechanism’ states a clear message that more women should contest and serve their country, and that House of Representatives should be half men and women.

“Since we arranged Parliament hours, one is able to spend more time in the evening with their family, and I myself am able to spend time with my daughter.” She expressed that this was not enough, since Parliament begins just an hour after school finishes, and many MPs are aware of the hassle and stress of dropping of their children to other family members of extra-curricular activities.

“They are not quotas: people will not take other people’s positions.” Prime Minister

“One should be aware that these are not quotas, and that people will not take other people’s positions,” Muscat said. He said that the measures being proposed are to help society to become more equal and balanced. 'The measures which are proposed are ambitious and might shock others but are measures for equality in society.'

He stressed that Government is committed to take on these positive temporary measures which will change Maltese politics. Parliament must represent a society which is equal and balanced, and ensure that none of the two sexes are under-represented.