On the occasion of Women’s Day, the Office of the Prime Minister awarded 14 women who stood out and left a significant impact in their fields. The second edition of the MARA evening served to showcase success stories that serve as positive examples for so many other girls and young women.
Among the winners of the honours was ALS Malta Executive Secretary Maria Formosa who won the People’s Choice Award by public vote.
Isabelle Bonnici, mother of young Jean Paul Sofia, was awarded The Remarkable Woman Award and Nancy Scerri, who has been working with Caritas Malta for 35 years, was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award. Both awards were given directly at the discretion of the wife of the Prime Minister, Dr Lydia Abela.
The other honours were based on nominations received from the public, social partners and non-governmental organisations, and whose winners were selected by the MARA 2025 board composed of Dr Stephanie Fabri, Josette Ciappara, Prof Anton Anton Grech, Sarah-Lee Zammit and Mario Cutajar.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister’s wife Dr Lydia Abela said that this celebration of talent and dedication is further proof of how proud we should be of Maltese and Gozitan women. “Today’s success stories are testament to how much difference women can make. In the family, but also in business. In the social sector, but also in science and technology,” stressed Dr Abela.
Dr Abela said that, in its small size, our country has done more than its larger peers in recent years to bring women into the workforce, help women become mothers, and appoint women as heads of state and at the decision-making table.
She explained how these are steps that send the right signal. “We have had challenges, and we will continue to have them. But let’s cherish the improvements that have been made and use it as determination to go further,” said the Prime Minister’s wife.
Dr Abela spoke about human stories that are a testimony of the boundless love that a woman is capable of giving.
A woman who gives life to children. A woman who, while raising her children, also takes care of her mother and father. A woman who fought against abuse, on her own behalf and on behalf of those who perhaps could not speak. A woman who studied, has a profession and believed in her capacity. A woman who opened a business through which she brought out her talent and created work. A woman we call a grandmother, who remains young at heart, helping her children in raising their children.
Dr Abela said that we must continue to challenge stereotypes. “A woman’s success is not measured by the clothes she wears or the fashion she follows, but by the impact she leaves, the obstacles she overcomes, the changes she inspires.”
The Prime Minister’s wife concluded by saying that the world will always be more beautiful when it moves forward with dignity, respect and equality, hand in hand, women and men, together, towards equal and common goals.
Meanwhile, all the winners of the MARA 2025 evening were these:
Antoinette Vassallo – Social Justice Advocacy Award
Eleanor Scerri – Excellence in Education & Mentorship Award
Josephine Formosa – Leader in Business and Entrepreneurship Award
Winifred Buhagiar – Resilience in Healthcare & Wellness Award
Marvic Refalo – Environmental Activism Award
Yolanda Chircop – Champion in Sports Award
Isabelle Bonnici – Remarkable Woman Award
Maria Formosa – People’s Choice Award
Maria Attard – Community Impact Award
Nancy Caruana – Dedication in Public Service Award
Charlene Vella – Empowerment through Arts and Culture Award
Jeanesse Scerri – Innovation in Science and Technology Award
Vladyslava Kravchenko – Shape the Future Award
Nancy Scerri – Lifetime Achievement Award
Photo: DOI-OPM
