Every year on Women’s Day, the Prime Minister’s wife Dr. Lydia Abela, launches a number of initiatives and activities that strengthen the role of women in Maltese society.
Exactly one month before this day, Dr. Lydia Abela launched for the first time Premju Mara 2023/2024; a prize driven by the thought that the role of women is more recognized in our country.
Present in front of a large number of Mayors and Presidents of the Regions in Villa Francia, Dr. Abela pointed out how March 8 is a significant day and should serve as a day of reflection in which we not only celebrate the achievements made, but we sift through it and understand better what we need to do to get to where we really want to be.
“The launch of Premju Mara 2023/2024 will be going to every locality around Malta and Gozo and that’s why I chose to turn to you the Mayors and Presidents of the Regions to make a call in the 68 localities in our country for a woman of any age who, through her contribution to society as a whole, has made a difference in the lives of others or left a positive impact,” said the Prime Minister’s wife.
In this context, Dr. Abela said that she is thirsty to see women of all ages nominated ; it could be a young woman involved in a voluntary association, a girl who joined a band club association , a woman who continued to study and increase her knowledge or an elderly person who chose to remain active in her community in various ways.
Nominations can be diverse and come from every section of society. From housewives who have dedicated their lives to family, from women who have continued to study and increase their knowledge, to women who run companies or occupy powerful roles.
” Actually, it will be you the Mayors together with the rest of the Councilors who make your choice for one person who, in your humble opinion, deserves to be nominated by his locality ,” said Dr Abela.
On Women’s Day, an award-giving activity will be organized so that the Prime Minister’s wife can meet these women on this significant day and listen to their success stories while to celebrate the unique achievements they have made.
“I feel that if we manage to share with the rest of the Maltese and Gozitan people the success stories that women in our country achieve every day, we will be raising more awareness about the role of women in our country,” concluded Dr. Abela.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli said that we should not limit the work in favor of the role of women in society only to Women’s Day, but we should stress gender equality and women’s rights on a regular daily basis. She praised this initiative in collaboration with local councils that will reward 68 women who have made a difference in their respective communities.
Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg stressed that Premju Mara will honor every woman who is nominated by the Councils for the great commitment that women give in our communities. She added that this commitment deserves all recognition because it provides a platform of activism and empowerment that gives a boost to greater participation of women in our society.
Those interested in nominating a woman for this award can find the application form and guidelines at https://localgovernment.gov.mt/useful-links/mara-linji-gwida/
