Samantha Pace Gasan has been appointed Commissioner for Persons with a Disability, following Oliver Scicluna’s co-option into parliament as a Labour Party MP.

Pace Gasan, 27, previously worked at MEUSAC and as a researcher at the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Wellbeing. She co-authored research into the impact of COVID-19 on people with disability and is active within civil society, having founded the Network of Young Women Leaders.

Malta’s new disability commissioner lost sight in one eye last year, after she experienced a stroke following being diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, which affects connective tissue in the body. Her sister, Naomi, was born with Down Syndrome. 

Pace Gasan was appointed to her new post by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who acted after consulting Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli.

The disability commissioner graduated with a BA Hons in Social Politics in 2016 and later obtained a Master in Creativity and Innovation. In the latter, she focused on social innovation in small and medium enterprises.

Pace Gasan has been socially active since she was young. She was a member of the Malta Girl Guides and several other non-governmental organisation. She also sat on the National Youth Council and Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali. 

In a statement, the Nationalist Party congratulated Pace Gasan on her appointment.