Maltese women in politics : an analysis of female participation in politics from 1981 to 2003

Abstract

The primary objective of this dissertation is to monitor the participation of women in parliament during the period of 1981 to 2003. By primarily relying on primary sources, I aimed to highlight the key issues that female Members of Parliament raised in parliament, and how they presented themselves in parliamentary discussions and debates. Female politicians extensively delved into the social realm, addressing topics such as family dynamics, women's roles in society, gender equality, and societal problems associated with the family. Additionally, they also discussed critical aspects of the public sector, including education and health, and even touched upon politico-economic matters, such as finance, taxation, and Malta's potential accession to the European Union. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my tutor, Ms. Simone Azzopardi, for her invaluable guidance, unwavering support, and dedication in correcting my work throughout the research and writing process. Her words of encouragement have also been a great source of motivation for me. Additionally, I am thankful to the History Department for their guidance throughout the course. My deep appreciation also goes to the librarians at the University Melitensia Library who provided me with continuous assistance, and to the Parliament Archive staff who were incredibly patient and supportive. Finally, I would like to thank my family members, for their encouragement and support.