Prime Minister announces new initiative for PL to attract more female candidates
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, addressing a PL extraordinary general meeting yesterday evening, announced a new initiative which will see more PL female candidates nominated for elections. The initiative, called ‘Lead’ will be led by PL MEP Miriam Dalli.
Muscat said that the only disappointment they had as a movement this past election, was the low number of women who were elected. “As a party, we reduced the number of seats we had held by women from five last legislature to four. This is not acceptable and we do not want to let this pass as if nothing happened. This is not just a political issue, but a social reflection. Half the population is not represented in Parliament.” He likened the situation to the south of malta not having any MPs representing them, or nobody over 50 being an MP.
“The lack of debate over the fact that women are not represented in Parliament is a sign that this is something we think is normal. It is not normal. We are behind in this regard and we want to move forward.”
“We have a strong electoral mandate to introduce gender quotas for the coming elections, but this must be a temporary measure that would help bring about a cultural change, for men and women to realise and discuss these obstacles. We must start this discussion on a national level immediately, and with the Opposition. If we reach early agreement with the Opposition, we would be in a position to introduce them this legislature.”
He spoke about the times Parliament meets and his wish to change it. “Which parent would want to stay in Parliament till 9 pm when they have children at home. This is a barrier for men, but a bigger one for women.”
Muscat then announced ‘Lead’, saying that it was a ten-year plan.
MEP Miriam Dalli then took to the stage. She said that she feared quotas earlier in life, as people would think women were being elected due to quotas. She has since changed her mind.
She said that when going into politics, she realised she needed to adapt to a system which requires more sacrifices from women than from men. “We need to work more and prove ourselves constantly, being careful at each moment not to make a mistake. This is unjust on all capable women.” She said that many don’t realise these realities.
“Yes, I and other women managed to make it work, but we are the exception. There are many women with a lot to offer, and all they need is support for them to contribute to politics. This movement has the duty not to let these women continue losing out. Action must be taken now.”
The initiative, she said, will be based over 10 years, “so in 2027 half our candidates will be women.”
The first step, she said, would be for 40% of the candidates in the coming EU elections to be women, and 35% in the local councils
For the 2022 general elections, the aim would be for there to be 35% female candidates
The aim would be for 50% of candidates to be women in the following EU elections and 40% in the following local council elections.
She said that each year, the aim is for ‘Lead’ to involve 12 women, who would be trained and mentored. These potential candidates will go door to door and be in contact with the people. “We will have a development plan, training on campaigning, activism, etc, the things needed for a politician to succeed.”
“We will have networking events as well as a national campaign to create more awareness around the country. We want to give these women a push to become more visible through the media.”
She spoke of childcare services being offered throughout the programme.
She said that this programme will push for positive measures for more women to be in Parliament. “We must start a serious discussion for a full-time Parliament which is family friendly. Every MP will benefit from this, irrespective of whether one is a man or a woman.”
The programme will begin in September 2017, and the participants would need to commit themselves to contesting the general election on the PL ticket.
Muscat, during his speech, also spoke about the deputy leadership race, and thanked the three candidates who have submitted their names for the post of PL Deputy Leader, and thus Deputy Prime Minister.
Muscat also spoke about the Marriage Equality Act passed last Wednesday, and said: “One day after this country made history, we must show that we are not afraid of change; to show the sense of restlessness. Last Wednesday was a historic day, that much will be written about. It is a day where even the children of those against these developments will benefit from new rights.”
“If we, as politicians, do not wake up and realise society is changing and becoming independent from politics, if we are not able to anticipate the times, and really implement change, we will end up irrelevant parties – there simply for elections with fewer people going out to vote.”
PL president Daniel Micallef also addressed the PL delegates, and said that the electoral victory means that the people trust that what the PL promises, it implements, and that the PL is the force of progress in Malta.
The PL voted in six honorary delegates who all, at one time or another, served as PL deputy leaders: former President George Abela, Joe Brincat, Joe Debono Grech, Charles Mangion, George Vella and Louis Grech.