As a politician, career woman and mother, I have directly experienced some of the cultural and structural obstacles that often frustrate women from taking the plunge into a political career.

While few of us succeeded on their own steam, I am aware that many others are shackled by a range of impediments. Malta is losing out on the involvement of so many talented women who can serve constituents and contribute to the welfare of our society, either because they are apprehensive of politics or because it is not yet feasible for them to take this path. 

Now is the time to start the ball rolling. 

The consultation document that is currently open for public discussion addresses some of the old barriers. The proposed mechanisms will be triggered whenever any one of the sexes obtains less than 40 per cent of the parliamentary seats.

The proposed measures include a ‘sunset clause’ whereby the mechanism would expire after 20 years, unless the legislators decide otherwise. Once a critical mass of around 33 per cent is achieved, it is more likely for women to be elected on their own steam. 

There are four key proposals that are open for public discussion.

These include incentives in the form of State funding to political parties in order to recruit, train and support candidates from the under-represented sex to contest the Maltese general elections.

A balanced candidature of at least 40 per cent from both sexes will increase the probability of an equitable result. Amendments to the Financing of Political Parties Act are proposed to allow for State funds to recruit, promote and train candidates pertaining to the under-represented sex. 

The Electoral Commission itself needs to become gender-balanced and younger. It will need to carry out an annual gender audit of political parties who opt to apply for State funding. The audit will produce an evaluation of initiatives and measures taken by the parties receiving such funds and it may also make recommendations for improvement.

Constitutional and legal amendments  are to permit a maximum of 12 additional seats for the under-represented sex that obtains less than 40 per cent of the parliamentary seats.

The amendments proposed do not impinge on the existing electoral process. Instead they aim to integrate a ‘gender corrective  mechanism’ within the present system. 

The proposed legal provisions will give an  opportunity to candidates from the under-represented sex to gain experience, exposure and influence in decision-making.

While the proposed mechanism aims to boost the percentage of candidates from the under-represented sex to approach 40 per cent, in each election, the maximum number of additional seats proposed is 12. If both sexes obtain 40 per cent, the proposed mechanism will not be needed. 

Malta is losing out on the involvement of so many talented women

Additional seats imply that incumbents who do not belong to the under-represented sex are not put at a disadvantage and they will have an equal opportunity to be elected through the existent process. 

The proposed gender corrective mechanism utilises three types of wasted votes and this is applicable for both parties: the votes of hanging candidates from the under-represented sex that were not elected; the wasted votes of hanging candidates from the over-represented sex who were not elected; the wasted votes of those candidates elected through a casual election will now be opened and counted. 

At present, parcels of votes of candidates elected by casual elections remain unutilised because if they give up their seat, they may only be replaced through a co-option. 

Through the gender corrective mechanism, their parcels of votes will now become available for use to address the gender imbalance in the House of Representatives.

A proposed strategic plan for Parliament will lead the way for gender mainstreaming in all policy areas. Family-friendly measures will include a review of the schedule of parliamentary sittings; the possibility that back-benchers may opt for a full-time position on a voluntary basis as recommended by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. 

It will see that women are fairly represented in all parliamentary committees as members and as chairs. Parliament also needs anti-discrimination and sexual harassment policies together with procedures for investigating complaints. It must also in-clude childcare facilities and family rooms.

Maltese public opinion clearly wants an inclusive Parliament that is more representative of younger generations and in terms of gender. It is now time to challenge a  situation where the House of Representatives has become conspicuous in the way it lags behind other advancements that have taken place in our society. 

At 14 per cent of the seats, women’s under-representation constitutes a democratic deficit that must be addressed. Women have made great strides in various fields and Parliament must now benefit more from their experiences. Legislation and policy must further reflect their aspirations and concerns. 

The full document may be viewed online at www.reforms.gov.mt.

Julia Farrugia Portelli Julia Farrugia Portelli is Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece