Watch tonight: Does parliament need a gender corrective mechanism?
Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta debate tonight to focus on controversial provision
Labour MP Deborah Schembri and lawyer Nickie Vella de Fremeaux will go head-to-head tonight in a live debate about Malta’s gender corrective mechanism for parliament.
The Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta debate will centre on a motion presented by Schembri: "Parliament's gender corrective mechanism is and remains necessary for Malta."
The debate, moderated by Times of Malta assistant editor Mark Laurence Zammit, will start at 8.30pm.
It will ask whether the mechanism is democratic and whether it is disrespectful to women.
Schembri, a former junior minister, and Vella de Fremeaux will debate the motion in a live, moderated exchange intended to test their positions under direct scrutiny.
ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci and former MEP Marlene Mizzi will be among live audience members who will have their say during the debate.
Viewers will be able to follow the debate live on Times of Malta or YouTube and take part through real-time voting as the discussion unfolds.
Parliament's gender corrective mechanism was first implemented in the 2022 general election and used for a second time this month following last month's election.
The mechanism adds up to 12 MPs into parliament to ensure gender balance among lawmakers. It kicks in if the under-represented gender secures less than 40% of parliament's seats.
Wednesday's debate will be the final Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta event before the summer break.
Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta is a live monthly debate centred on Malta’s most urgent national issues, with audiences invited to participate and help shape the direction of the conversation in real time.