Week unclouded. New women’s archive, FGM in Malta, and equality inaction
News can be overwhelming to follow. Important news bites can get lost amongst all the hard and breaking news. Here are a couple of the headlines from this week and beyond that impact women.
Women’s Archive launched
Photo by Women’s Archive
This week marked a milestone in Malta’s women’s history with the official launch of the Women’s Archive at the University of Malta.
The archive, that will be housed at the university’s library, will seek to collect and preserve parts of women’s history in Malta.
From documents and letters of women who made a difference – like former President Agatha Barbara and Times of Malta founder Mable Strickland – to works and diaries of everyday women – the project aims to address a critical gap in the archival representation of women’s histories in Maltese society. It seeks to preserve and celebrate the diverse experiences, contributions, and legacies of women for future generations.
The women behind this project - Pro-Rector Carmen Sammut and Equity Coordinator Nadia Abdilla - had shared the story behind the archive here.
FGM - a reality for migrant women in Malta
Photo by Alexandre Boucey on Unsplash
As the world marked Women’s Day, the reality of Female Genital Mutilation was among the topics brought forward this week. Yes, even in Malta.
Activist and FGM survivor Shamsa Araweelo was in Malta to make sure no one forgets that migrant girls living on the island are still at risk of FGM. And that there are women living with FGM.
Shamsa is making sure to tell her story in graphic, horrifying detail. Because it is horrifying - and people need to know. The three letters ‘F.G.M’ don’t do justice to what really goes on. Which is why, when interviewing Shamsa for Times of Malta, I felt it was important to be true to what she was depicting.
FGM, also known as female circumcision, is a procedure where the female genitals are cut, injured, or changed for non-medical reasons.
Data compiled by the European Institute for Gender Equality estimated that 39 % to 57 % of migrant girls are at risk of female genital mutilation in Malta.
Female genital mutilation has been a crime in Malta since 2014. A person found guilty of performing FGM which causes the death of the victim is subject to imprisonment ranging between four to 20 years. Any person who fails to avert FGM is liable to a fine of between €1,000 and €5,000.
But making it illegal is not enough. As Shamsa says, we need to open our eyes to the fact that it might still happen to some little girls. Authorities might need to question why these girls are taken out of Malta. Because once they are cut, it is too late for them.
Governments also need to be aware of the physical and psychological needs of those women who are living with FGM.
Years of government inaction to blame for low fertility rate
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
Malta’s alarmingly low fertility rate is the result of years of government inaction, according to the Malta Women’s Lobby.
In a message sent out ahead of Women’s Day, the lobby said that: "Women are expected to earn an income as if they have no family obligations, and simultaneously rear children as if they have no paid work responsibilities...
"This unrealistic expectation forces many women to make difficult choices and often prevents them from having more than one child, despite their wishes."
Malta has the lowest fertility rate in the EU, at just 1.08 births per woman – far below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.
Yes, we need action. Clear policies that send out a clear message that men and women are to share roles: at home, at work and everywhere in between.
Women too must play their part by – learning to let go of and challenge what we feel might be expected from us. Learning to delegate and ask for help. Learning not to feel less entitled.
Share your news
Do you have some women-related news you want to share? Or perhaps an idea or topic you feel deserves to be spoken about and ‘unclouded’? Or an inspiring story to share?
If so you can comment below or send an email on hello@womanunclouded.com so we can discuss how to get your voice heard.