Living on the edge: Migrant women in Malta

Abstract

Research on ethnic minorities in Malta is relatively infrequent. Research on ethnic minority women is even scarcer. However, there is consensus in the literature that migrant women can face additional disadvantages when compared with minority men and women in the host country. More specifically, migrant women are at risk of the most extreme forms of poverty and social exclusion, in many if not all dimensions of life: housing, education, employment, health care, and multiple discrimination. This paper presents a critical overview of the socioeconomic situation of migrant women in Malta as a first and crucial step toward a better understanding of the disadvantages and specific needs faced by this vulnerable group. It then goes on to discuss the role of the state for evidence-based decision making and policy responses. I finally argue for active inclusion policies that redress social inequalities, and that encourage the full integration of migrant women living on the edge of Maltese society.

Keywords:

• migrant women
• integration policy
• ethnic diversity
• poverty and social exclusion
• Malta

Notes

1. The following categories were described by Malta's national statistic office as follows: “other EU member country” includes all EU member countries except Britain, Italy, France, and Germany; “other European country” includes all European countries except the EU-27; “other citizenship” includes all other countries not listed; “stateless” includes all those persons who did not declare their citizenship (private e-communication February 28, 2008).

2. Personal communication and interviews include: the National Statistics Office, Department Social Security Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, the Organization for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, Jesuit Refugees Service (JRS Malta), and Solidarity Overseas Service (SOS Malta).

3. The term “multiple discrimination” is used to refer to any discrimination against a woman which does not only involve gender (see European Commission, 2009).

4. The statistical information shown in this section draws on Debono (2009).

5. The majority of migrants come to Malta from Somalia (30%), Eritrea (22%), and Sudan (14%) (OIWAS, 2008).

6. UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

7. Private e-communication with the Jesuit Refugee Service, Malta (October 11, 2010).

8. The Migration Policy Group is an independent nonprofit European organization which stimulates well-informed European policy debate, cooperation, and action for an open and inclusive society (http://www.migpolgroup.com/).

9. Malta ranks 26th of the 28 MIPEX countries in labor market access and integration measures.

10. Malta ranks 24th of the 28 MIPEX countries in eligibility for access to nationality.

11. Agenzija Appogg falls under the national Foundation of Social Welfare Services in Malta.

12. The Malta Employers' Association is one example.

13. The Employment and Training Corporation is a national public employment agency that provides training programs and employment services.

14. Personal communication with the Organization for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers, Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family.

15. There were cases where children of Muslim mothers were baptized in the Catholic Church without prior consent of the parents.

16. Draws on interview with the Organization for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers (OIWAS) Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, Malta (February 20, 2008).

17. Draws on interview with OIWAS (February 20, 2008).

18. Army and police officers.

19. Draws on the UNHCR Statistical Yearbook (2006).