The number of women serving in local councils has more than doubled since the institutions were first established in 1993, now accounting for over a quarter of all councillors.

A government-commissioned study by the University of Malta found that female representation increased from 13.5 per cent in the councils’ inaugural year to 28.2 per cent following the 2024 elections.

In the first year of the local councils, women made up 13.5 per cent of members while after the 2024 elections, female members accounted for 28.2 per cent.

The study was carried out under the direction of Carmen Sammut, a professor in the Department of Media and Communications, and statistician Vincent Marmara.

Announcing the results, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli pointed out several women in parliament began their political careers in local councils with some, including herself, serving as mayors.

She added that the political sphere cannot be balanced if women do not participate at all levels of governance.

“Women are the backbone of our families, the foundation of our society. Communities are made up of families, and society is our families. Today, women are also among the key pillars of our economy, with full participation in the workforce. Therefore, women must also have proper representation in administration and in the country’s highest institutions,” Zerafa Civelli said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg said that equal representation is a right, not a privilege, emphasizing the importance of reflecting women’s perspectives in political decision-making processes.

“We simply want women to always, everywhere, and in everything enjoy respect and dignity with equality and inclusivity.”