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An EU report conducted over a five-year time span, it showed that three in 10 European Parliament members are women. The report states that there are currently 753 members/commissioners that serve within the EU, 485 men and 268 women. Opposed to last year, where Malta placed last and Finland first, Malta placed second after three women candidates were elected to the European parliament.
This data was published at a seminar ‘Women in Politics: New Realities’ held at the General Workers’ Union theatre this morning chaired by Simone Cini, organised by the Reggie Miller Foundation. Ministers Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Helena Dalli, MPs Deborah Schembri, Claudette Buttigieg and Kristy Debono, and MEP Claudette Abela Baldacchino participated in the seminar.
“Today, women form 50% of the Maltese delegation in the European Parliament,” said researcher Gail Demanuele
Ms Demanuele added that in the case of Malta, PL candidate Marlene Mizzi was the first women to be elected as an MEP, followed by PN’s Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas and PL candidate Ms Abela Baldacchino.
The seminar dealt with a number of topics, including a roadmap on equality sharing work life responsibilities, along with a detailed analysis of the situation in Europe where the participation of female candidates is concerned, among other issues.
Ms Kirsty Debono said that she does not feel a woman should be in parliament just for the sake of bringing about a gender balance.
Dr Deborah Schembri said that she was surprised to learn that in Finaland, there were more women members of parliament than men.
Ms Claudette Abela Baldacchino said 265 women and 489 men served in the European Parliament during 2012. She noted that as a result of the global financial storm, women are being particularly exposed to the danger of poverty, now threatening almost 25% of women.
Ms Claudette Buttigieg said that there needed to be more female presence in the media, adding that she presented a number of television programmes. On a national level, she said that the female candidates that weren’t elected shouldn’t be forgotten because they still can contribute heavily to their respected parties, and country as a whole.
Minister for Social Dialogue Helena Dalli said that despite the number of friendly measures that exist, there still were a number of problems that needed to be addressed.
Social Solidarity and Family Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said that there was a time when Malta could boast of being one of the best welfare States.
