Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Cutajar has called for greater efforts to encourage women to pursue careers in Malta's disciplined services, as parliamentary figures show that women account for just 7.71% of Armed Forces personnel and 4.5% of Civil Protection Department employees.
As part of the '100 Days Thanks to You' campaign, Cutajar spent a day with women serving in the AFM to gain first-hand experience of their work and convey the message that ability, discipline and courage are not determined by gender, a government statement said.
The parliamentary figures showed that women are represented across all ranks within the AFM except that of Lieutenant Colonel.
Among those Cutajar met was Captain Iona Muscat, the first woman to obtain a licence to fly helicopters operated by the Armed Forces of Malta.
After graduating in archaeology and beginning her military career, Muscat underwent a selection process followed by two and a half years of training in Italy, which included at least 180 flying hours.
She subsequently obtained a commercial pilot's licence and completed specialised training on the AW139 helicopter.
The Minister also met Air Wing Staff Sergeant Lisa Micallef, the first Maltese person to receive the Master Technician Award from FlightSafety International.
Micallef received the award after completing six specialised technical courses on the King Air B200 aircraft.
She was also the first female technician in her section to obtain an EASA licence in aircraft mechanical maintenance, the first female Air Wing technician to obtain an EASA licence in avionics, and the first Air Wing member to obtain both licences.
"The work and achievements of these women show that no career should be limited by gender. They are concrete role models for girls who may not yet see themselves pursuing a career in the military, aviation or a technical field," Cutajar said.
Figures presented in Parliament also showed that women account for 23.37% of members of the Malta Police Force and are represented across all ranks up to Assistant Commissioner.
Within the Civil Protection Department, women make up 4.5% of employees, the lowest representation rate among the three disciplined services.
Cutajar said these figures, together with the 7.71% representation of women in the AFM, demonstrated the need for continued efforts to encourage more women to consider careers in the disciplined services and ensure equal opportunities to enter, progress and reach leadership positions.
While acknowledging the contribution of women already occupying positions of responsibility within the Police Force and Armed Forces, she stressed that women remained underrepresented and that further efforts were needed to address the stereotypes and barriers limiting their participation and career advancement.
Through the Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan, which runs until 2027, the government is working to challenge stereotypes in education and employment, promote more inclusive career guidance and increase women's participation in sectors where they remain underrepresented, the statement said.
"These women should not be seen as exceptions that prove an old rule. They should mark the beginning of a new reality in which more women enter, progress and lead in every field of service to our country. When a girl sees a woman flying a military helicopter or reaching the highest levels of technical expertise, she also begins to see a possibility for herself," Cutajar concluded.