PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Maltese parliamentary delegation participates in International Women’s Day Conference in Brussels

On Thursday, 6 March 2025, Katya De Giovanni and Graziella Attard Previ, participated in an inter-parliamentary committee meeting organised by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. The event, titled “Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – Upholding Women’s Rights in Defence, Security, and Peacebuilding”, marked International Women’s Day 2025 and brought together high-level representatives from EU Member States, EU institutions, and national parliaments.

The conference focused on the critical need to ensure women’s full participation in decision-making processes, particularly in defence, security, and peacebuilding. Discussions highlighted how women’s leadership contributes to more inclusive and sustainable peace, while also addressing the urgent need to protect women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings from trafficking, exploitation, and gender-based violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war. This year’s event coincided with the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which established the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The resolution has been instrumental in advancing gender equality in peace and security efforts, though challenges remain in achieving full representation of women and gender perspectives in foreign and security policy.

The conference featured opening remarks by Ms Lina Gálvez, Chair of the FEMM Committee, a video message from Dr Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and contributions from Ms Katarzyna Kotula, Poland’s Minister of Equality, and Ms Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management. The conference concluded with closing remarks by Ms Lina Gálvez, who reiterated the need for continued efforts to strengthen the WPS agenda and uphold women’s rights globally.

Katya De Giovanni and Graziella Attard Previ actively engaged in the discussions, highlighting Malta’s commitment to advancing the WPS agenda and promoting gender equality in peace and security efforts. They underscored the importance of protecting women’s rights in conflict zones and ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes at all levels. The participation of the Maltese delegation underscored Malta’s dedication to fostering gender equality and supporting international initiatives that empower women in peacebuilding.