Sexual Violence During Migration: Valletta Panel Discussion To Explore Realities, Systems And Support
A panel discussion exploring the horrific sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) while migrating to Europe will be taking place this weekend in Valletta.
It’s titled From Silence to Solidarity: Malta’s Role in Addressing Sexual Gender-Based Violence in Migration Contexts and will bring together voices from every angle – lived experience, academic research, frontline work, and global insight.
This panel – organised by local NGO Tama – seeks to discuss holes in Malta’s systems when it comes to supporting victims who often arrive on our shores scared and alone.
It will take place on Saturday 24th May between 5pm and 6.30pm at the Valletta Deisgn Cluster as part of the event Connecting the Dots.
Panelists include Precious Orogun, Marcelle Bugre Zanya and Maria Pisani. Precious is a 31-year-old Nigerian woman who has been living in Malta for the past eight years. She arrived by boat after travelling to Libya and she sat down with Lovin Malta to share the abuse she endured during this journey.
Precious is now a social support worker and cleaner while also pursuing her passions as model, student and dedicated mother. Professor Maria Pisani is an academic and an activist who currently heads the Department of Youth, Community and Migration Studies.
Maria further chairs the Platform for Migration at the University of Malta. As a critical, intersectional feminist, Maria’s research has focused on forced migration as a gendered process, and the experiences of young asylum seekers.
Marcelle Bugre Zanya is a humanitarian and policy expert working at the intersection of migration, gender and health. Her areas of focus include migration and development policy, return and integration, elderly and disability care and the rights of migrant women.
She has conducted research on Filipino domestic workers in Malta and has led advocacy and capacity-building initiatives across NGOs, particularly in health, gender-based violence, and social inclusion. The panel will be hosted by Lovin Malta journalist Ana Tortell who uses the platform to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge systemic inequalities.
The aim of the panel is to examine the current support systems, identify gaps in services, and propose concrete actions to transform Malta’s approach from theoretical policy to practical solidarity.
This discussion is part of a broader, full-day event led by TAMA, seeking to educate attendees through a number of workshops, exhibitions film screenings and discussions.
It will feature a documentary about the life of Kamila – a 24-year-old woman who migrated to Malta after leaving Sudan alone at just 11 years old.
The event is open to the public and completely free of charge. To register, click here.
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