PN calls for ‘concrete measures’ to address ‘scourge’ of gender-based violence
Party calls for aggressors to leave the home in instances of partner abuse
The Opposition Nationalist Party has called for “concrete measures” to address what it described as the “scourge” of gender-based violence, including a centralised system for monitoring protection orders and increased court resources.
The PN also called for the introduction of “immediate emergency barring orders” granting the police power to require the aggressor in domestic violence cases to leave the home, rather than the survivor, and improved school education to address the issue.
The recommendations come on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which was also marked this weekend with a march by activists in the capital.
The PN said that over the next 16 days – a global period of ‘Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’, initiated by Tuesday’s commemoration – it will meet with professionals to identify further challenges and strengthen its proposals.
It will promote policies “built on prevention, protection, and rehabilitation,” and meet with victims of gender-based violence and entities in support and protection services, the party said.
“Despite the economic and social progress that women were expected to have achieved, this unfortunately is not always reflected in the everyday reality of Maltese women”, the party said.
“Paternalistic attitudes still dominate, and as a result, the scourge of domestic violence remains widespread.”
The party pointed to National Statistics Office figures showing that last year, of the almost 3,800 people reporting domestic violence, around three-quarters (76%) were women.
“Every victim of domestic violence has the right to a safe and dignified life, and the state has an obligation to protect and support those at risk,” the party said.
“Fine words alone will not solve this problem. Maltese women cannot and should not have to wait any longer. They deserve concrete action today, not tomorrow, to guarantee a life without fear and with a sense of safety.”
The PN said it would “remain steadfast in safeguarding this right and promoting policies that eliminate all forms of domestic violence from our country. Domestic violence is not only a family or personal issue – it is a scourge that affects our entire society.
The statement was signed by Shadow Equality Minister Graziella Attard Previ and Nationalist Party Women's Movement president Marie Claire Zammit.