https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/20531 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:02:47 GMT 2026-07-14T07:02:47Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147473 Title: Parenting under scrutiny : disability, motherhood, and the legacy of ableism Authors: Azzopardi Lane, Claire; Azzopardi, Andrew Abstract: This article examines how ableism, disablism, and structurally produced vulnerability shape disabled mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and parenting in Malta. Drawing on feminist disability studies, reproductive justice, and the social relational model of disability, the study situates disabled motherhood within enduring eugenic legacies and contemporary forms of reproductive governance that position disabled women as inherently risky, incompetent, or unfit to parent. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with four disabled mothers and two social workers working with parents with intellectual disabilities. Data were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis, informed by Thomas’s social relational model of disability and Reeve’s concept of psycho-emotional disablism.; Findings are organised around three interrelated themes: ableism, disablism, and structurally produced vulnerability. The analysis demonstrates how disabled mothers are subject to heightened surveillance, conditional recognition, and persistent scrutiny by healthcare, education, and child protection systems. These experiences are not reducible to impairment effects but are produced through inaccessible environments, deficit-based professional practices, communication barriers, and risk-averse institutional cultures. Professional narratives further reveal how vulnerability is often individualised and pathologised, obscuring the structural conditions that undermine disabled parents’ autonomy and rights.; Situated within Malta’s conservative reproductive regime and small-state welfare context, the study contributes empirical insight into how global disability inequalities are locally enacted. The article argues for a shift towards rights-based, disability-justice-informed parenting policies and practices that recognise disabled parents as legitimate, competent, and rights-holding individuals. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147473 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146220 Title: Promoting gender equality at the University of Malta Abstract: This chapter examines the evolution of gender equality measures at the University of Malta, tracing key changes driven by institutional, national, and transnational influences. Historically, the University was a masculine stronghold, with minimal female representation until the 20th century. Significant progress began with the implementation of inclusive education policies in the 1970s, the establishment of the Gender Issues Committee, and the introduction of feminist academic programmes spearheaded by pioneering academics like Mary Darmanin. These efforts were amplified by Malta’s alignment with European Union regulations, which mandated gender equality policies.; Feminist institutional theory provides the framework for this analysis, highlighting the interplay of formal and informal rules in shaping gender norms. A diachronic-synchronic methodology is employed to understand the incremental policy changes and their immediate impacts. Despite advancements, systemic barriers persist, such as underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, leadership roles, and decision-making bodies, reflecting enduring cultural biases and structural inequities. Female academics often face career stagnation due to disproportionate involvement in teaching and administrative tasks which detract from the time that can be devoted to research.; This chapter underscores the critical role of feminist activism, strategic leadership, and international influences in fostering gender equity in higher educational institutions. It concludes with a call for comprehensive institutional reforms, including unconscious bias training, equitable promotion criteria, and continued advocacy to dismantle systemic barriers and promote diversity in higher education. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146220 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145763 Title: Myths and tales as communication links between the university and the local community : the experience of the place of methodological narrative ‘anerades’ of the Faculty of Humanties of the University of the Aegean. Authors: Arvanitidou, Zoi; Gasouka, Maria; Katsadoros, George Abstract: In the context of the contribution of the School of Humanities of the University of the Aegean to the Rhodian society and the development of relations with the Rhodian and Dodecanesean society, a Place of mythological narrative under the name ''Anerades" (Faires)was founded. The program of activities of this establishment is curated by a oordination group which is composed of faculty members of our University and citizen of Rhodes. [excerpt] Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145763 2013-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145741 Title: The Għonnella : a symbol of femininity, strength, and cultural continuity Abstract: There are symbols that transcend time, that carry within them stories, emotions, and identity. One of them is the Għonnella, the characteristic women’s garment of Malta, which for centuries accompanied the women of the island in their daily lives, in celebrations, prayers, and in their walks through the streets of Valletta and the villages. The Għonnella, with its black or dark hood that covered the head and body, was much more than a simple garment. It was a reference point of female dignity, social status, and inner strength. It was a way for women to stand with modesty, but also with pride, in a changing world. Today, through actions such as the TRACtion project at the University of Malta, we have the opportunity to revisit these cultural symbols not as museum objects, but as living expressions of identity, creation, and inspiration, and to give voice again to them, of the past, through the creativity of people today. [excerpt] Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145741 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z