Gender-corrective mechanism to elect more women to Parliament did not have the desired effect, the Women for Women Foundation believes.

Elaine Compagno, general manager of the foundation, was asked by The Malta Independent whether the gender-corrective mechanism to increase female representation in Parliament has worked as intended, to which she said that it has "certainly gotten more women into Parliament".

"Has it met our expectations for policy changes? I do not believe so. We are a bit disappointed at how having more women in Parliament has not necessarily resulted in better policy for women in general," Compagno said.

She continued that the foundation expects female representatives in Parliament to be a bit louder, more vociferous, and to be the initiators of certain discussions that can help and protect women better.

Founder of the group Francesca Fenech Conti agreed with the mechanism, as it is a start, but women in Parliament could be collaborating on a matter concerning the protection of women.

"It is good to see representation. I think it was and still is important. Other countries have used quotas, and it has worked well, and eventually, quotas aren't needed anymore," Compagno said.

From a women's rights perspective, it has not achieved the desired effect, she said. The women who were elected to speak in Parliament need to have more courage and be more steadfast in this area, Compagno said.

"They need to know that women back them up, they have our support, and it is important as we are half of the voting population. The government needs to prioritise measures that ensure women are safer," Compagno said.

Compagno said that women cannot afford their rights to be taken for granted, and that women's rights are often not guaranteed and can be taken away.

Asked if Women's Day is still relevant, Compagno and Fenech Conti promptly replied that it certainly is.

"I do not think we can afford to take our rights for granted. If Women's Day is for anything, apart from highlighting communities of women around the world, is to remember that women are still disadvantaged just for belonging to the group 'women' and we need to educate about this," Compagno said.

Fenech Conti said that the reason Women's Day is still relevant is because women are still disadvantaged at every turn, and the day makes an emphasis on equity between the genders.

"We recognise their potential, keep them close, and help them climb out of difficult situations," Fenech Conti said. "Women need resources, visibility and real change. Our work is about making that happen."

The first part of the interview was carried in The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday