Woman’s day everyday: hundreds demonstrate for women’s rights

Mar 7 2022

Hundreds of women and those who support the rights of women took to the streets of Valletta yesterday to mark International Woman’s Day.

With the theme chosen being ‘Women’s Day everyday: Less Words More Action’, many took to the demonstration carrying placards which called for an end to sexism and violence against women as well as creating awareness on other prominent issues.

The event was organised on Sunday morning by several organisations including Moviment Graffiti, Young Progressive Beings, the Women’s Rights Foundation as well as Doctors For Choice.

With the event attended by several politicians and political candidates, a number of speakers addressed the crowd outside Malta’s law courts. Posting to Facebook, Moviment Graffiti said that this day was not a celebration.

‘It is a day during which we remember the many battles feminists had to fight in order to acquire the rights we today take for granted. The women’s rights organisations argue that joining together to fight against sexism, gender inequalities, gender stereotypes and other injustices faced by women in their everyday lives is of crucial importance.

‘Women are fed up of hearing empty words, and it is high time for more concrete action that will truly make a difference in women’s lives’ the organisations said in the statement.

The demonstration comes just days after Rita Ellul, a 47-year-old mother and grandmother, was murdered in Għajnsielem. 2022 also started with the femicide of Paulina Dembska, a young Polish student who was murdered by suspect Abner Aquilina.

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Photo Source: Moviment Graffiti

The oldest woman in Malta celebrates her 110th birthday

Mar 7 2022

Malta’s oldest woman, Maria Farrugia, has just celebrated her 110th birthday and local project ‘The People of Malta’ outlined some of the remarkable woman’s achievements and characteristics.

Maria hails from Ħamrun, and was born back in 7th March of the year 1912. She was described as having a simple life, having experienced a plethora of historical events throughout Malta’s recent history.

Maria’s own mother lived to the age of 100, and she was one of five siblings. The elder recalled how she lost one of her siblings who died at the age of 37 when he was killed by a bomb during one of Malta’s very first air raids.

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Maria was widowed in 1962, and became the mother of three children, two of whom have already passed away. She is now cared for by her daughter Carmen and her grandson Stephen.

Maria took on sewing as a hobby but also to make some money for the family. She was described as taking the time to do everything, from selling milk with the family goat to playing bingo.

‘She lives day by day’ Carmen told The People of Malta. ‘If it was up to her she would help everyone. But we are careful – it is understandable that we are cautious. But we do sometimes ask her to help us fold some clothes.’

Maria has already lived through a similar situation as the COVID-19 pandemic as the Spanish Flu hit when she was younger. Maria still describes life when she was younger as being better, often recalling memories and other anecdotes she’s been through.

As for a nugget of wisdom, Maria told The People of Malta that ‘life is in God’s hands. There are no secrets.’ Happy birthday Maria!

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Photo Source: The People of Malta

Abela and Grech in another debate on 23rd March on TVM

Mar 7 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela and PN leader Bernard Grech will be facing off in a televised debate on national broadcaster TVM on the 23rd of March 2022.

The news was announced by the Broadcasting Authority, and revealed that there will be three debates featuring other candidates from opposing sides of the political parties going head to head.

The first two debates will take place on the 8th and 9th of March, but no details were given as of yet. The debate between party leaders will be taking place just 3 days before the election itself which is on the 26th.

This comes after several calls, even by the Nationalist Party, for a debate to take place, with many criticising the Prime Minister for ‘running away’ from journalists or such events.

There will be another debate held by the Malta Chamber on the 16th of March, as well as another debate set to take place at the University of Malta. No date has been released for the latter as of yet.

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PN candidate makes up for all wasted paper during election by planting trees

Mar 7 2022

A new candidate running with the Nationalist Party, Joseph Grech, has took it upon himself to be a beacon of sustainability and environmental awareness during the campaign.

Grech pledged to send only one leaflet made of recycled material throughout the entirety of the electoral race to the home of his constituents.

But the young Opposition candidate went several steps further as he pledged to plant more trees in Mosta and Attard to make up for all the paper used throughout the election campaign currently unfolding.

Posting to social media, the candidate spoke about the environmental impact during the electoral race, saying that for him and the Nationalist Party, Malta’s natural element is one of the pillars of their politics.

‘In order for the people of Malta to believe in the importance of the environment, I believe it has to be us politicians to be the ones to make the first step towards sustaining it’ he said.

A video accompanying the initiative showed Grech hard at work planting trees as he explained his eco-friendly principles. He highlighted how Bernard Grech’s administration has plans for afforestation and open spaces amongst others to elevate the environment to a more important value on the island.

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Photo Source: Joseph Grech FB