[WATCH] Equality minister gets third degree over Debono Grech comments

Dalli faces press over Debono Grech comments against Marlene Farrugia

Equality minister Helena Dalli defended her controversial comments condemning women who “play the victim” after “provoking” men into a violent verbal response, insisting that men and women on an equal base of power should expect to be treated equally.

She was pressed hard by the press on comments she made in parliament in the wake of a controversial decision by the Speaker not to censure Labour MP Joe Debono Grech, when he threatened independent MP Marlene Farrugia that he would beat her up (nigi ghalik u nifqghak).

His comments were made in a heated reaction to accusations of corruption by Farrugia, who herself equated the verbal threat as tantamount to domestic violence.

But Dalli claims the reaction, although condemnable, was a tit-for-tat that Farrugia should have expected for comments she made in the House.

Speaking after a press conference at the Waterbiscuit lounge bar to launch a new campaign against domestic violence, the equality minister dismissed Farrugia’s self-comparisons with victims of domestic violence.

She argued that domestic violence is often a power issue, with the person carrying out the violent act wielding more power than the victim.

“As two MPs, [Farrugia and Debono Grech] share the same level of power,” Dalli said. “If I insult a male MP, I cannot expect him not to respond in a similar manner just because I am a woman.

“If we truly believe in equality, and that women and men have the same power in parliament, then no MP should expect to be treated any differently because of their gender.

She defended her track record in the domestic violence sector, recounting how she was the first person to launch a White Paper on domestic violence during her tenure as parliamentary secretary for women rights during the Labour administration of 1998.

“My track record on domestic violence speaks for itself,” she said.

Social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia had also addressed the campaign launch.

When questioned on whether Debono Grech’s brief written apology to the Speaker was enough to excuse him for his outburst, the minister invoked Jesus Christ.

“As a Roman Catholic, I believe that people who apologize for their actions should be forgiven. If people refuse to accept their apology, then that’s up to them…”

‘Dalli’s comments scandalous’ – Marlene Farrugia

In brief comments on Facebook, Marlene Farrugia criticised Dalli for her “scandalous comments”, reiterating her call for her to resign her ministerial post.

“After her debacle in Parliament last week and this additional outburst, her position as civil liberties minister is no longer tenable,” the former Labour MP wrote. “No wonder we haven’t come close to truly addressing Malta’s problem of domestic violence. White Papers alone will get us nowhere…”