Editorial: Malta’s political glass ceiling still stands
The importance of balanced representation is not merely a matter of fulfilling a quota; it is a fundamental requirement of a healthy democracy
Malta’s political landscape currently stands between historic achievement on one side and persistent, structural stagnation on the other.
During the 2022 general election, a pioneering gender-corrective mechanism was implemented to address gender imbalance in parliament. The mechanism ensures that if one gender, currently women, constitutes less than 40% of parliamentary representation, up to 12 additional seats may be allocated to the underrepresented gender.
During the 2022 elections, parliament welcomed a record-breaking 22 women MPs. This marks the highest female representation in the nation’s history. Yet, a sobering reality remains: the upcoming electoral cycle suggests the momentum for parity may already be stalling.
The importance of balanced representation is not merely a matter of fulfilling a quota; it is a fundamental requirement of a healthy democracy. After all, politics should strive to reflect and mirror the communities we represent. When a legislative body is disproportionately male, it risks developing blind spots regarding the lived experiences of half the population. Diversity in parliament ensures that a wider range of perspectives informs policy-making from healthcare and family law to economic strategy.
However, recent data regarding the upcoming elections suggests that the 2022 breakthrough might be an anomaly rather than a new trend. According to the final list of candidates released by the Electoral Commission, men continue to dominate candidate lists, leaving women significantly underrepresented on ballot papers.
This deficit is particularly glaring on the PN ticket and among smaller parties like Momentum and ADPD. While the gender-corrective mechanism patched the final numbers in parliament, it did not solve the pipeline problem: the difficulty of getting women onto the ballot paper in the first place.
Historically, Malta has ranked among the lowest in the EU for women’s political representation. While women have found more success in local council elections, reaching 28% in 2024 compared to much lower national figures, the leap to the House of Representatives remains fraught with hurdles. It is also interesting to note that while the gender-corrective mechanism was intended to foster equality, it also triggered a backlash.
Critics, including some women politicians themselves, expressed fears that such mechanisms could lead to tokenism. There have been concerns that the mechanism might usher in ‘weak’ candidates, potentially undermining the perceived competence of all women in politics. There is also a recurring fear that women elected via these measures might be penalised within their own parties, viewed as having merit-free seats rather than winning through capability.
While Malta has made strides through constitutional amendments and the General Elections Act, legal frameworks alone cannot dismantle cultural gatekeeping.
As long as party structures remain male-dominated, the gatekeepers who select candidates will continue to gravitate toward traditional profiles. These structural dynamics are further compounded by the lived experiences of women in Maltese politics who continue to face significant barriers to participation. Cyberbullying, including sexually abusive behaviour on social media, has become an increasingly prominent challenge, reinforcing gendered hostility within the public sphere.
Moreover, entrenched male dominance within political institutions sustains unequal power relations, while weak support structures for individuals with family responsibilities further limit women’s political engagement.
The current situation, where 57 men hold the majority of seats, serves as a reminder that the gender-corrective mechanism is a tool, not a cure.
If Malta is to truly achieve a parliament that mirrors its community, the focus must shift to the recruitment process. We must move beyond internal party dynamics that favour the status quo, and the societal expectations that still place a disproportionate domestic burden on women. Until the ballot papers themselves reflect the electorate’s diversity, the mirror of politics will remain cracked.