“L-għeruq tal-problema tal-vjolenza domestika hija waħda kulturali. Il-fatt li nofs il-popolazzjoni għadha temmen li n-nisa jeżaġeraw meta jirrappurtaw każijiet ta’ vjolenza kif ukoll li l-vjolenza fuq in-nisa hija pprovokata mill-vittma, huwa xhieda ta’ dan. Ir-riżultat ta’ din il-mentalita` huwa l-biża ta’ ħafna nisa li jirrappurtaw vjolenza li qed issir fuqhom għax jibżgħu li ma jiġux emmnuti. Din il-mentalita` qed ikollha effetti saħansitra traġiċi bil-qtil ta’ diversi nisa tul is-snin.” Dan saħqu d-Deputat Chairperson u kelliem dwar l-edukazzjoni ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika, Mario Mallia, waqt li illum fil-Belt Valletta saret l-attivita’ tal-Women’s Rights Foundation kontra l-femminiċidju.
Mario Mallia qal:”Dan ifisser li pajjiżna fadallu x’jaqdef biex jindirizza atteġjamenti li qed iwasslu għal daqstant tbatija. AD tinsisti li hemm bżonn urġenti li l-istat kif ukoll il-qrati jagħtu messaġġi ċari favur il-vittmi tal-vjolenza domestika filwaqt li jkunu iebsa ma min jikkawża din il-vjolenza. L-istat għandu jassigura li jagħti messaġġ ċar ta’ empowerment tan-nisa f’kull qasam tas-soċjeta` permezz ta’ sforzi akbar ta’ gender mainstreaming kemm fl-operat tiegħu kif ukoll fil-politikali jikkontempla u jħaddem.”
Mario Mallia tkellem ukoll dwar l-importanza tal-edukazzjoni. Qal li AD tħoss li huwa wkoll urġenti li jiġi studjat intervent edukattiv kurrikulari fl-iskejjel tagħna. “Li l-bniet u s-subien jitgħallmu flimkien, waħdu qatt ma jista’ jkun assigurazzjoni li din il-mentalita` sessista tiġi ndirizzata. Jeħtieġ koordinament u sforz iffukat partikolarment mas-subien, biex bil-mod il-mod titrawwen ġenerazzjoni li tirrispetta d-dinjita` ugwali għal kulħadd indipendentement mis-sess tal-persuna.”
“Bil-parteċipazzjoni tagħha fil-manifestazzjoni kontra l-vjolenza domestika, AD tixtieq turi solidarjeta` mal-vittmi, filwaqt li tħeġġeġ u taghti sehmha lejn sforz komuni li permezz tiegħu titbiddel il-mentalita` sessista u maskilista li għadha taħkem lil pajjiżna.”
Video clip: https://www.facebook.com/alternattiva/videos/239508506920925/
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Sexist and mysoginist attitudes must be tackled
In a statement after participating in an activity organised by the Women’s Rights Foundation against femininicide in Valletta, Deputy Chairperson and Education spokesperson for Alternattiva Demokratika Mario Mallia insisted that “With domestic violence, the root of the problem is cultural. The fact that half the Maltese population still believes that women exaggerate when they report cases of domestic violence, together with the belief that violence on women is perpetrated by strangers when in actual fact it is predominantly a family issue, are testament to this state of affairs. The end result of this mentality is the tendency for women to under report violence inflicted upon them because they fear they will not be believed. This is having tragic consequences with a number of women killed over the years.”
Mario Mallia intimated that Malta has a lot to work on in terms of attitudes that are inflicting so much pain. AD insists on the urgent need for the state and the courts to pass on a clear message in favour of victims of domestic violence and one of assertiveness when dealing with the perpetrators. Moreover, the state needs to step up its efforts in empowering women in all spheres of society through better gender mainstreaming of policy and practice.
Mario Mallia also spoke about the importance of education. AD strongly feels that focused curricular intervention in education is long overdue. “Having girls and boys together in schools in itself is not enough to make sure that sexism is adequately addressed. A coordinated effort is needed particularly with boys, that promotes respect and dignity for all regardless of gender. With its participation in today’s activity against domestic violence, AD wishes to show solidarity with victims whilst doing its part in efforts that address the sexist and misogynist attitudes prevalent in our country”.
Video clip: https://www.facebook.com/alternattiva/videos/239508506920925/
