Patriarchy In Malta Still ‘Holding Back Women From A Genuinely Equal Place’
United Nations experts have said that Malta has made significant progress on achieving gender equality – especially women’s economic participation – but the UN remains concerned about the challenges posed by discriminatory gender roles.
“Despite strong constitutional guarantees for gender equality, impressive legislative and institutional frameworks, as well as specialised mechanisms for implementing gender equality policies, we heard repeatedly that progress has been hampered by patriarchal structures and beliefs,” said the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls.
“This is holding back women and girls from finding a genuinely equal place in public and private life.”
The UN Working Group just concluded a 12-day visit to Malta which seems to have determined that despite regulatory strides, culturally entrenched belief systems are still holding many women and girls back.
The UN Group used their time to examine the country’s relationship with women and girls by meeting with public officials, judges and lawyers, health and education professionals, prison personnel, immigration detention centre staff, female detainees, civil society organisation representatives and survivors of gender-based violence across the archipelago.
The experts pinpointed specific patriarchal views – suggesting that women are less fit to lead – as having a significant impact on women’s ability to participate in public and economic life.
They found that even though electoral quotas were introduced in 2021, the majority of political decisions remain male-dominated.
“Malta has made remarkable progress in women’s economic empowerment over the past decade,” said the UN report.
“However, women continue to face challenges in reconciling work and family life and sharing care responsibilities equally. Gender discrimination often starts in the family and has a negative impact on all areas of girls’ and women’s lives.”
These experts also discussed the abortion law which was recently passed, which “decriminalised abortion only in cases where the woman’s life is in immediate danger” – with the assessment of a medical team.
“The right to terminate a pregnancy is at the core of women’s and girls’ fundamental rights to equality, to dignity, autonomy, bodily integrity, respect for private life and the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health.”
The experts argued that by depriving pregnant people from access to healthcare which gives them full bodily autonomy, Malta is violating international human rights standards to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Earlier this year, when Malta presided over the UN Security Council, one of its stated priorities was to “prioritise the role of women and girls“.
They added that World Health Organisation data shows that criminalising termination of pregnancy does not reduce the number of abortions – and that the countries with the lowest rates of termination are those wherein pregnant people have access to information, all methods of contraception, and the right to termination.
“We commend Malta for its strong commitment to addressing gender-based violence. Sadly, violence against women and girls, which is the most brutal manifestation of gender-based discrimination, remains pervasive,” the experts said.
The experts urged the Government to collect system-wide national data to improve efforts to remove barriers to women’s and girls’ enjoyment of their rights – which includes freedom from gender-based violence.
“We sincerely hope State authorities, together with younger generations and all sectors of society, will commit to the transformative actions necessary to continue to bring positive change for the human rights of women and girls,” said the UN group.
“By transcending traditional gender roles and expectations, Malta can unlock the potential of all individuals and create a society where equality thrives.”
What do you make of the UN Working Group’s conclusions?
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