'Personal circumstances' - Momentum on why no women candidates
'We would love to have candidates of all genders on our list', says Momentum's Mark Camilleri Gambin
Momentum has attributed its absence of female election candidates to “personal circumstances” currently preventing women involved in the party executive from campaigning.
Earlier today, the party announced its list of seven candidates, each of whom will contest two districts. While people from varying professional backgrounds made up the list, women were conspicuously absent.
Contacted by Times of Malta, the party said that while it was “proud to have three committed, dedicated, and talented women serving on its executive committee ... At present, their personal circumstances do not allow them to stand as candidates in a general election”.
The party did not provide further details.
It noted that in addition to the three women serving on its executive committee, “many” others also contributed actively as volunteers.
“We would love to have candidates of all genders on our list. Unfortunately, there are bigger barriers in life which make it more difficult for women to take this step”, Momentum’s Mark Camilleri Gambin said.
“It is worth noting that the gender mechanism is also intrinsically discriminatory because it excludes women of third parties and thus discourages them from being candidates.”
The same grievance about Parliament’s gender corrective mechanism was brought before the courts by ADPD two years ago, but was thrown out.
Responding to separate questions about the party’s agreement with ADPD to coordinate the fielding of candidates, the party said it encouraged its voters to “continue the list of one another's party”.
“We align on many of our values, and we want to bring about the same type of change. We retain our distinct identities and styles. The choice and distribution of candidates was also strategically coordinated between the two parties.”
The two parties announced their alliance last month.