Watch live: Schembri vs Vella de Fremeaux on Il-KAŻIN x Times of Malta
Deborah Schembri and Nickie Vella de Fremeaux debate parliament's gender corrective mechanism
Labour MP Deborah Schembri and lawyer Nickie Vella de Fremeaux 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, begins at 8.30pm.
Watch it live in the video below.
Schembri is a former junior minister who quit politics in 2017 but made a return in last month’s general election. She was returned to parliament through the gender corrective mechanism.
Vella de Fremeaux is a lawyer who specialises in family law and who has been an outspoken critic of gender quotas or the mechanism as implemented locally.
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.
Apart from Schembri and de Fremeaux, viewers will also hear from ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci and former MEP Marlene Mizzi, who will be among live audience members who will have their say during the debate.
Wednesday's debate is 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.
Episodes are hosted by Jon Mallia and Mark Laurence Zammit.