The participation of Maltese women in Parliament

Abstract

Much emphasis is being made by the United Nations, the European Union and Women's Organisations all over the world for women to participate in the Parliament of their country. In Malta, the number of women who contested the last election was only 22 out of which just 6 were successful. That means slightly over 9 percent of the 65 representatives that make our Parliament. My study probes into the problem and attempts to find out the obstacles that hinder women from reaching the goal, as set by the United Nations, of a 30 percent female participation in the Legislative Assembly of the Maltese Islands. It has been found that social conditioning of women is much at fault. Women believe that their first and foremost duty is towards their family to the end. Besides for a long time, the running of the country was left in the hands of men so women are not encouraged to participate in larger numbers in what is considered to be a man's domain. It is suggested that the solution to the problem should be the breaking of warped social attitudes through education. The structure of Parliament has to become more women friendly and all political parties have to do their part as well.