Malta’s Female Empowerment Milestones Celebrated at RISE 2025

Malta’s achievements in women’s rights and empowerment were highlighted at the RISE 2025 International Women’s Conference in Belgrade, where Julia Farrugia, Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, was among the keynote speakers.

In her address, Minister Farrugia outlined key reforms that strengthened women’s political representation, including granting 16-year-olds the right to vote and the introduction of a gender-corrective mechanism that added 12 parliamentary seats for the underrepresented gender.

Thanks to these measures, women now make up 28% of Malta’s Parliament.

She stressed that these reforms are not just numbers on paper but are driving real change in Maltese society, with more women bringing empathy and critical issues onto the political agenda, from disability rights to fair treatment for cancer survivors.

The Minister also pointed to other landmark measures, such as free childcare, which since 2014 has enabled over 22,500 women to join the workforce, as well as legislation criminalising femicide, forced sterilisation, and virginity testing.

Farrugia underlined the importance of financial independence, education, and opportunities for women, while warning against the dangers of hate speech targeting vulnerable groups.

She called on young Maltese to act as catalysts for change, ensuring a more inclusive and equal society.

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Photo Credit: MIV