Only 9.2 per cent of Maltese parliamentarians are women, placing Malta 103rd out of 187 countries.

According to the latest statistics released by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – a multi-political organisation that brings together 143 affiliated parliaments and seven associated regional assemblies – one out of five parliamentarians elected in 2005 are women. Twenty per cent of legislators elected in 2005 in 39 countries that held parliamentary elections were women.

Of the 65 seats in the Maltese parliament, women occupy just six: Dolores Cristina, Giovanna Debono, Helen D’Amato representing the government, and Marie Louise Coleiro, Justyne Caruana and Helena Dalli with the opposition.

The IPU statistics also reveal that by the end of 2005, an average of 16.3 per cent of members in the upper and lower houses of parliament were women, up from the 15.7 per cent in December 2004.

Both Denmark and Germany registered a slight decrease in the proportion of women elected to parliament compared with the previous election. In both countries, women have held more than 30 per cent of parliamentary seats since the mid-1980s and the report queried whether these countries have reached a “ceiling” in terms of female participation.

Andorra, Burundi, New Zealand and the United Republic of Tanzania are new additions to the list of countries where 30 per cent or more of the legislators are women.

The study showed that there were positive results for states resulting from conflict. In countries emerging from conflict, such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Iraq and Liberia, the percentage of women parliamentarians has increased.

Of the 39 countries that held elections in 2005 for lower or single houses of parliament, 15 implemented special measures – such as voluntary quotas, legislated political party quotas and reserved seats or mandates.

The average ratio of women parliamentarians in countries that used quotas in elections held in 2005 was nearly double that of those without special measures: 26.9 per cent as opposed to 13.6 per cent.

According to the report, quotas are not the only explanation for women’s progress in the political field.

They make provision for a quantitative leap, but in order to attain the goal of effective gender equality in politics, quotas need to be accompanied by a series of other measures, ranging from the raising of awareness to the training of women and the development of gender-sensitive environments.

Other important elements, such as women’s increasing presence in parliament, also need to be factored in, including socio-economic development, political will, cultural evolution and international assistance and support.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina

Increasing women’s participation at a political level is a crucial goal, not only for Malta but across the globe. Countries all over the world are involved in building up an impetus for more women to be enticed into the political arena. Democracy is based on the principle of fair representation and women in politics is not a choice but a necessity.

Some Maltese male MPs have themselves commented on the change that the introduction of women into Malta’s parliament has made. As with all changes, this does not exist in a vacuum; rather it acts as a propelling force, pulling other factors into its path and morphing them along with it. This is why women are needed in all sectors of life.

Parliament is rarely an immediate target for women: one usually starts out elsewhere, such as on local councils, voluntary organisations, party sections. It is also useful to look at the participation of women in decision-making roles beyond parliament, here in Malta. The positive note here is that there is a marked increase in the number of women in high positions.

Women are individuals with many roles: mother, housewife, carer of elderly relatives and career woman. A political career leaves one with very little “spare” time, and yet, one still tries desperately to juggle all the commitments one has. Added to that, a politician is also necessarily in the spotlight, in the public eye, under scrutiny, all the time. I know what I’m talking about, because that is what happened to me after I returned “to work” after a 23-year career break!

The government has begun to work on incentives aimed at encouraging women to return to work. Other measures aimed at closing the gender gap include offering women training and education in further skills in order to enhance their prospects for employment.

It is necessary, first of all, for women to believe in themselves, in their potential, in what they have to offer to society at large, and they must feel responsible and make themselves answerable to that society. Traditional notions of women’s roles still need to be overcome among women themselves.

The media has a role to play here, as in so many other issues, as the way women are portrayed in the media is extremely important. First of all, the media must not ignore women. However, neither should they be made out to be some different creature, an exotic animal so unlike man that she becomes nothing more than an attractive exhibit. Women’s portrayal needs to be authentic and realistic. Women politicians are sometimes placed on a pedestal and therefore, the expectations are unrealistic and the fall, if it comes, is so much higher.

Maltese people seem to look at women in politics as being a different breed of politicians. They dissect and analyse them more than they do their male colleagues. Some admire them for having made it in a man’s world and many feel they can relate to them more.

The benevolent admirer is a hindrance if it implies that female politicians are not valued politically as much as their male counterparts. Women are not one person, one basket, one set of ideas. We must begin to think of women as individuals in their own right.

The difference that women can make is in many ways tangible and in some ways indefinable. It ranges from changes in perceptions to putting hitherto ignored subjects on the national agenda. Women bring a sensitivity to all issues – to policies and to legislation – that is otherwise missing in their absence.

Labour MP Justyne Caruana

There is a need for more women in parliament. It is a representative institution and women are highly under-represented, with only six members out of 65.

The quota system adopted at party level will help increase female participation. This system has worked in other countries, especially in Scandinavia, to such an extent that now there is no longer any need for it. It is a good way of encouraging women to participate and gain the self-confidence that “we can do it”.

We need to change the common perception that parliament is a man’s world. This is not true – it is everybody’s world and both sexes have much to contribute and complement each other.

It is very difficult to combine family commitments with parliamentary and political commitments. It is enough to say that the sittings are held between 6pm and 9pm and during the day we have the same commitments as our male colleagues.

However, unlike most of our male colleagues, once we arrive home, we have the housework to do as well. In my case it is even worse, as apart from my legal work, I also have to allocate time for travelling to and from Gozo. I also have my constituency and party commitments. It is not easy and the system is not very family-friendly.

People generally do admire us for the effort we make. Many people ask me how we cope, and appreciate that we have “sacrificed” our normal family life for the benefit of the people and the country.

The public’s attitude towards women does still need changing but I think this is happening.

Women made a difference in all sectors, including politics. Let me give you an example. When we discussed the domestic violence bill, we were able to portray the situation more from a woman’s perspective, and that is something a male politician can never do.

There are other circumstances where women are more adversely affected, and as women parliamentarians we are able to verbalise these situations better than men because we are directly involved.

In parliamentary debates we give the female touch and address issues in a more holistic way – both from the male and female side. I really believe in the female potential. The world is there, but it is up to us to go for it.

The other two Labour MPs, Helena Dalli and Marie Louise Coleiro were also contacted for their comments but none were given.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care Helen D’Amato

We definitely need more women in the Maltese parliament. Despite the increase in the number of women contesting both national and local council elections, female representation in parliament is relatively low.

For the first time in many years there are three female representatives in the Cabinet. This proves the government’s commitment towards a greater participation of women in high-ranking posts. Further proof can be found in the many initiatives that have been taken to encourage more women to become actively involved in politics and in decision-making positions.

Over the years, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of women contesting national, European and local council elections. This has been interpreted as a positive message to the electorate, but it must be sustained and political parties have to scout more and provide training for prospective female candidates.

A male-dominated mentality will not change overnight, but as a country we are doing our utmost to ensure that gender equality is achieved. We also have to keep in mind that women are still expected to juggle work and family life and less is expected from men with the same responsibilities.

The women who are currently members of parliament are respected because they are working very hard at the job. The presence of women in Cabinet and in parliament is of benefit to both, in order to ensure that the perspective of both genders is taken into consideration when decisions are taken.

Women have the added responsibility of acting as role models for other women to be encouraged to take up decision-making posts.

The road ahead is long but we hope that more women are encouraged to stand for election. Finally, it is important to note that a politician is elected because of his or her capabilities as a politician and not because of gender. Female politicians are accountable for what they do just as much as their male counterparts.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono

I feel that women need to be more involved, not only in parliament but in all walks of life.

I do not agree with measures that automatically increase female participation, such as quotas or reserved seats for example.

I feel that women, like men, have to arrive at their destined goal – in this case representation in the Maltese parliament – on their own merits.

However, I feel that measures that make it easier for women to reconcile working life with family life ought to be further promoted, as these are an incentive for more women to work productively, whether as a MP or elsewhere.

I feel the timing of the parliamentary sessions creates a slight inconvenience, especially for us Gozitan MPs who have to travel back and forth to Malta every day. We hardly ever get back before 10 or 11 at night, after four hours travelling – and I am talking about a normal working evening, three times a week for practically 11 months of the year.

It becomes a bit taxing, not to say impossible, for any MP who has to go back home and then look after young children or a family, and I cannot thank my family enough for fully supporting me throughout my 19 years as a MP.

I am sure that, had it not been for their support, I would definitely not have been able to continue serving my country in the way that I do.

Technology, in the form of video-conferencing facilities or a secure online-voting system, apart from the present broadcasting of parliamentary sessions on the radio, might facilitate more of a work-from-home approach.

I do not think that flexi-time in relation to parliamentary sessions would work, as parliamentary work requires quite a significant amount of time.

And I still think evenings are the best time to hold parliament, allowing the mornings to be used for ministerial work, meetings and other things.

I think that we six women in parliament manage to gain the public’s sympathy, not only because we are women and indeed are a minority in a world dominated by men, but also because we work hard in the best interests of our country, while being able to relate to society around us.

Women can contribute wherever they are, because it is very difficult for men to empathise with women or represent us in any institution. Women constitute more than half the population and I feel that it is only right that women are elected to parliament or reach the higher echelons in other careers. A woman’s perspective is different from that of a man, and our contribution will only serve to make decisions richer and based on a better knowledge of society around us.

Head of EU Commission Representation in Malta Joanna Drake

There is a need for more women in parliament. It is the country’s highest decision-making body and there should be more representation of the gender mix in our society. However, the need does not, or should not, stem from a mere gender balance objective. Men and women complement each other in their respective skills, approach, perspectives and strengths.

This is a reality that more Maltese citizens are accepting on a daily basis. I do not see any reason why this should not be reflected in the Maltese parliament, or in any other decision-making body, for that matter!

In education, women’s participation is very satisfactory in Malta, with females accounting for over 50 per cent of tertiary graduates. However, we need to focus on what happens to women after they have completed their education. More and more women need to be encouraged to participate in decision-making fora such as work, local councils, organisations, the corporate world or political party structures.

If we want this to happen, we have to ensure that multiple measures are created to help women handle the work and family balance and give them a real choice. Some of these measures can be handled at state level or at the workplace. Others, however, require a change of heart by society and the family unit.

The times that parliamentary sessions are held are not ideal for any woman – or for any man – with children and a family. The hours between six and nine in the evening are usually family time spent with the children. Perhaps changing that could be a start.

However, this is a superficial solution to a complex issue. There are many other reasons, deeply ingrained in our society, that prevent women moving up the rungs of the decision-making world. These can be changed by a true and honest commitment at the highest political level and by small but consistent and concrete steps on the ground to help drive a culture change over the years.

I think women in parliament are admired. People can identify themselves with women, as we are seen as approachable and can empathise with people’s concerns about life, society, family, jobs and the environment. On the other hand, I fear that women in positions of power are also perceived to be dedicating too much time to their careers and not enough time to their families. This may easily give rise to a guilt complex in women who have the potential to advance but due to social pressures, may be inclined to not to take up the challenge.

The presence of women in parliament enriches and enhances the democratic process and ensures that decisions taken are analysed from a woman’s point of view – which does not necessarily mirror that of men. Not only do women add value to the debate but also to the final decision taken.

My final appeal to the Maltese electorate and society is to help women also become movers and shakers outside the family unit.

Dr Drake contested the European Parliamentary elections in June 2004.