Athletics Malta takes major step towards gender equality in its administration

Athletics Malta has taken a major step to‐ wards a fairer gender representation in its highest administrative organ, following an amendment to its statute approved this week in an Extraordinary General Meet‐ ing.

Through this amendment, presented on the initiative of Athletics Malta Council Member Anthony Fava and President Aldrin Cassar, Athletics Malta positioned itself as one of the first major sporting fed‐ erations on the island to embrace com‐ plete gender equality in its governance structures at Council Member level.

This move also marks Athletics Malta as one of the first athletics national associa‐ tions/federations in Europe to take such a progressive step, alongside just France and the Republic of Ireland.

While the executive roles of the Presi‐ dent, Secretary General and Treasurer, will remain open to election following nomination from members of the associa‐ tion irrespective of gender, the composi‐ tion of the remaining positions on the Council has now been amended to ensure total gender equality.

While the Statute will now provide for a minimum of four member places on the Council, on top of the executive roles, should three or four members of the same gender be elected to these positions, the statute will now cater for the further elec‐ tion of up to four members of the non‐rep‐ resented gender, ensuring a total member balance and diverse leadership.

President Aldrin Cassar, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic milestone: “Athletics Malta is proud to lead the way in championing gender equality within our organisation. By making these amend‐ ments, we are not only setting a precedent on the island but also positioning our‐ selves as one of the first athletics organi‐ sations in Europe to take such bold steps.”

He added: “If you look at athletics and running in Malta, over the past few years we have seen a significant increase in fe‐ male participation, particularly in track and field, but recently, also in road‐run‐ ning and non‐stadia competitions.

“Thus, I believe it is imperative that such athletes are equally represented on Ath‐ letics Malta’ Council. We believe that di‐ verse perspectives contribute to a stronger and more dynamic athletics com‐ munity, and we are committed to foster‐ ing an environment where talent knows no gender boundaries."

The applicable provisions will be en‐ acted as from the next round of elections for Council, scheduled on 23 April 2024.