Mapping the ecosystem : relational dynamics of Malta's women’s organisations

Abstract

This paper presents the landscape of women’s organisations (WOs) in Malta and Gozo exploring their relationships as part of civil society and their role in the public sphere. It focuses on WOs active in 2021, when civil society was recognised for its influence on national leadership in Malta. WOs play an integral role in this landscape, contributing to feminist and gender-related advocacy as well as wider societal issues. Sociological literature increasingly views civil society as a networked ecosystem that links organisations with varied interests, strategies, and networks. This study investigates the relational dynamics among WOs and their relations with institutions, addressing three key questions: (i) what are the relations of WOs with institutions?; (ii) how, if at all, does the structure of relations among WOs contribute to the making of an ‘ecosystem’?; and (iii) what are the main factors which facilitate or hinder collaborations among WOs? This research builds on Diani’s (2015) modes of collective action, applying both aggregative and relational approaches, along with social capital theory, to understand the significance of the bonds formed by these WOs. Based on surveys and qualitative interviews with 52 WOs in Malta and Gozo in early 2021, the study maps the complex web of relations within this ecosystem. The findings suggest that women’s organisations coordinate through different coalitions across different issues. The ecosystem of WOs remains vulnerable to fragmentation, particularly around contentious topics like abortion, despite the overall strength of bridging social capital in promoting trust and collaboration.