Pauline Miceli (left)
Pauline was born in Zabbar in 1949, the third daughter in a family of 10. Despite family responsibilities she continued her studies and trained as a teacher.
Having to resign on marriage, she explored other work options. She took up the offer to produce and present the daily woman’s hour which until then was very traditional. Women’s liberation movements in Europe and the US and the abundant literature on the situation of women informed her programmes. Pauline joined the budding local groups militating for women’s rights. After 5 years on radio, she moved on to educational broadcasting for schools and was anchor of a number of discussion programmes on local television. Back in the classroom, she continued to involve herself in the printed media and wrote regularly on topics covering social issues.She wrote Maria-Eva, a book based on real life stories of women, to depict the situation of women. Pauline also wrote stories for children and adults.
She was Head of Giovanni Curmi Secondary school until her retirement. Later she was appointed Commissioner for Children, promoting children’s rights. Her husband Charles, known mainly as an activist for the poor, passed 7 years ago. She has a daughter Vanessa and two grandchildren. She now enjoys a quieter life, reading, volunteering and gardening.
Ms Renee Laiviera (centre)
Ms Renee Laiviera is currently the Commissioner of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) and NCPE’s Acting Executive Director. Ms Laiviera has held management positions in the Malta Public Service since 1998 when she was appointed Director (Women’s Rights). She also held positions on a number of government commissions and committees. She has been active in NGOs for many years and up till May 2013 held the position of Executive Member of the European Women’s Lobby and that of the Chairperson of the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations.
Ms Laiviera is currently an independent member of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), a monitoring body of the Council of Europe and member of the Advisory Committee on equal opportunities for women and men, which assists the European Commission in formulating and implementing legislative proposals and policy initiatives on matters related to gender equality and equal opportunities.
In March 2007, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, The Embassy of the United States of America in Malta honoured her for exceptional ‘courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement in Malta. The University of Malta has conferred the Degree of Master of Letters (Honoris Causa) on Ms Renee Laiviera on 1st November 2019. On 5th August 2021, Ms Laiviera was honoured with the highest International WEF Award 2021 – Women of the Decade in Gender Equality by the Malta-India Business Council of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI).
Lorraine Spiteri (right)
Lorraine Spiteri has been an activist in the women’s movement in Malta since the 70’s, beginning with the pioneering group Minn Naha tan-Nisa, one of the country’s first feminist pressure groups and a foundational force in placing women’s rights on the national agenda which included family planning, family clinics, maternity leave, domestic violence, childcare centres as well as family law and divorce. Over the years, she has continued to contribute to major women’s organisations and policy-driven networks, including the Women’s Study Group, Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations, the European Women’s Lobby and emPOwer. Through these platforms, she has worked together with other feminists, to influence legislation, strengthen advocacy, and ensure that Maltese women’s voices are represented at both national and European levels.
Her academic and professional training reflects this lifelong dedication. Lorraine obtained a Diploma in Social Studies (Women and Development) from the University of Malta in 1999, followed by a Certificate in ‘Gendering Cyberspace’ from Utrecht University in 2000. In 2007, she completed her Master’s degree at the University of Manchester (Manchester Business School). Her research focuses on key areas within gender studies, particularly gender and the labour market, gender in the media, violence against women and women in economic and political decision-making. She has contributed to major research initiatives as a National Expert for various local and EU institutions, offering evidence-based insights into gender inequalities and supporting national and European policy development.
Beyond her activism and academic work, Lorraine is also a trainer, delivering programmes on children’s rights and equal opportunities related to gender, race and ethnicity.
Professionally, Lorraine is CEO of a number of childcare centres, bringing her knowledge of gender, equality and child development into her organisational leadership. Prior to this, she held the role of Director at the National Statistics Office and also worked within the banking sector for a number of years. She also contributed to public education through radio and television, producing and presenting programmes for the national broadcaster aimed at young audiences.
Lorraine is a proud mother of one son and two daughters.
Although a number of historical inroads have been made for women’s rights in Malta over the years, there is still so much to be accomplished. Lorraine believes that true equality has yet to be fully achieved, and she hopes that one day women’s lives in Malta will be one truly built on dignity, respect, opportunity and social justice.
(Photo Credit: Therese Debono)
