“I’d Refuse A Seat Through Gender Corrective Mechanism”, Says Rosianne Cutajar
Following a Sunday report by The Malta Independent revealing how women MPs view the gender-corrective mechanism ahead of the next general election, Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar has doubled down on her stance, saying she would not accept a seat through the system, even if it meant missing out on Parliament.
Speaking exclusively to Malta Daily after the publication of The Malta Independent’s story, Cutajar reiterated her position, saying that her political career and record “speak for themselves”.
“I’ve been active in politics for years, from local councils to national level, and I believe I’ve already proven my worth,” Cutajar told Malta Daily.
“The gender-corrective mechanism is important for newcomers, but in my case, I feel that if the public does not choose me directly, then that’s a result I must respect.”
Her comments come after The Malta Independent on Sunday reached out to all 23 female Members of Parliament, asking if they would accept a seat through the gender-corrective mechanism if not elected outright in the next election.
Cutajar emerged as the only Labour MP to publicly state that she would refuse a seat gained through the mechanism, a position that distinguishes her from most of her colleagues, who defended the system as a necessary measure to address Malta’s long-standing gender imbalance in Parliament.
Cutajar told Malta Daily that while she appreciates what the mechanism set out to achieve, she believes its implementation has also created an unintended divide, one that risks pitting merit against representation.
“I absolutely support women in politics. But equality should also mean fairness and that includes being elected by the people. For me, merit must remain central,” she said.
She acknowledged, however, that the system can serve as a stepping stone for female newcomers who are contesting for the first time, offering them an opportunity to establish themselves.
“It’s a valuable opportunity for those still making a name for themselves, and I support that. But after so many years in public service, I prefer to earn my seat directly from voters,” Cutajar added.
The gender-corrective mechanism, introduced before the 2022 general election, was designed to boost female representation in Malta’s Parliament, where women have historically been underrepresented.
While the system successfully brought 12 additional women MPs into Parliament, pushing female representation to a record 27.8%, it has also sparked debate over whether it undermines the very women it aims to empower.
Other Labour MPs, including Julia Farrugia Portelli, Davina Sammut Hili, and Alicia Bugeja Said, defended the mechanism, saying it helped amplify women’s voices and led to concrete reforms in areas such as family rights, healthcare, and gender equality.
“We should aim for a system where women don’t need mechanisms to succeed,” she told Malta Daily. “That’s when we’ll know we’ve truly achieved equality.”
#MaltaDaily