Helena Dalli Calls Out Mqabba Deputy Mayor And Says He Should Receive Training
Helena Dalli came out strongly against Mqabba deputy mayor Jonathan Dingli for his recent comment about “women who like getting beaten up” and said he should receive training.
Dalli was recently named Acting President in the absence of President Myriam Spiteri Debono.
“No one likes getting beaten up. Women, men and children don’t enjoy getting beaten up,” Dalli, a former Equality Minister and EU Equality Commissioner, stressed.
“Comments addressed to women as a group, for example the recent comment that ‘women enjoy getting beaten up’ are sexist and reflect stereotypes.”
“Everyone, particularly public people, should be conscious of the damage they cause.”
She said that Dingli, and other people who make such declarations, should receive “training” to “understand and free themselves of these prejudices”.
“It could be that, as a society, we need to do more in terms of education and open dialogue about equality, violence and the use of political power. No matter how much we do, it will never be enough,” she said. “We must continue promoting education and open dialogue, and we must support positive change to help people understand and realise the damage caused by dangerous comments, even those made carelessly.”
“The greatest harm is the reinforcement of discriminatory attitudes that contribute towards a culture of sexism, where the consequences are inequality and the normalisation of violence.”
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