Bjorn Formosa in moving tribute on Women's Day

Updated 12.13pm.

ALS sufferer Bjorn Formosa led public tributes to women on International Women's Day on Sunday.

In a moving Facebook post dedicated to his wife he wrote:

"ALS has held me in this bed. It has taken my movement, my voice, my breath. But Maria has chosen to be my hand, my voice and the lung that keeps me alive.

"True health is not in muscles, but in love that does not give up even when the battle is at its hardest.

"Best wishes to all women." 

Call for political action

Earlier, the ADPD-Green Party reaffirmed its commitment to a society where women enjoy full equality, dignity and autonomy. 

In a statement for Women's Day, party chairperson Sandra Gauci said women in Malta continue to face structural inequalities. Gender-based violence remains a serious concern and domestic violence represents a significant portion of police reports. Women are also under-represented in decision-making positions and continue to face economic inequalities such as the gender pay gap.

"This gap is decreasing year on year, but we must make sure that this trend continues," she said in a statement. 

She said the party welcomes the effort in schools to facilitate access to menstrual products, ensuring dignity for all. Access to such products should be more widespread. 

"Access to an essential aspect of women’s health, contraception, is still problematic especially for certain demographics," she said. 

Gauci called for stronger protection against gender-based violence, effective support services for victims, fair pay, and policies that enable women to participate fully in political, economic and social life.

"Women must also be trusted to make decisions about their own lives and health, and public policy must respect their dignity and autonomy. Unfortunately, there are those who still insist that a woman should be at a serious and imminent risk of death for proper and timely healthcare. That is not health care, but cruelty," she wrote.  

The heartbeat of social and environmental justice

The Momentum political party in a separate statement, expressed solidarity with women who have become the heartbeat of social and environmental justice.

"From the front lines of environmental NGOs fighting to save our remaining green lungs, to the tireless volunteers in animal shelters protecting those who cannot speak for themselves, these women are the best hope for a fairer Malta."

Momentum committee member Katya Compagno said: "We have been humbled by the advocates who speak up and also provide a sanctuary for women in vulnerable positions, activists who demand that green spaces be treated as a fundamental right rather than a luxury and those who actually fight for the rights of those that have no voice: our animals and those who demand justice in all areas. Strong and capable women who turn frustration into action and exhaustion into progress."

The party demanded legal protection for survivors of violence, the guarantee of safe homes, fair pay, and modern, equitable workplaces for all. It also called for increased state funding and support for the NGOs that protect the vulnerable, the environment and animal welfare. 

The major political parties were also holding activities related to Women's Day on Sunday.

Moviment Graffitti and several other NGOs will also join forces on Sunday afternoon for a march in Valletta.

Graffitti invited women, trans and non-binary people and allies to join the event at the Tritons Fountain at 3pm.

The slogan is ‘Women’s Day Every Day’, a reminder of the daily struggles women face in society.