The ‘F-word’ : feminism and gender equality perceptions across the Maltese islands

Abstract

Gender equality and feminism within society have grown and evolved in the Maltese Islands throughout the years. Yet despite this progress, the country still ranks poorly when compared to other EU countries, primarily due to unequal economic participation and opportunity. To better understand this discrepancy, this study investigates the population’s perceptions of gender equality and feminism through interviews with key experts in Maltese society and a questionnaire sample from the Maltese population. The study examined the extent to which socio-demographic factors such as; age, gender, locality, level of education and current occupation, along with personal experiences, affect this perception. The results indicate that gender has the most significant impact on the perception of gender equality and feminism in the Maltese Islands. The results also suggest the importance for policies and incentives to acknowledge the underlying mechanisms that produce and impact people’s perceptions to ensure sustainable development in the Maltese Islands, in terms of gender equality.