The Young Progressive Beings, young, bold and brave young women, have one main aim…to defend the rights of women in Malta…
As a woman I am ashamed to say that I became interested in women’s struggles and feminism late in life. I always had a strong sense of justice and what is right from wrong but the real passion and love for women’s issues and rights for women was really ignited in me when I met Dr. Lara Dimitrijevic founder of Women’s Rights Foundation. Her work as a pro-bono lawyer with victims of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking really inspired me and helped me to see the world that we women live in through a different lens.
This newly found curiosity about women and our lives lead me on to create Women for Women, a women only facebook group with over 38,000 women. Before that I had been living in a cozy, safe bubble, I was 46 at the time. Yes, what a waste of time all those years just accepting the way things were! All those years just going with the flow and never questioning the status quo.
I’m so in awe of young women who know what they want, and what they don’t want. Young women who are not afraid to speak out for their rights and the rights of women and all girls. Young women like Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, and the young women from Young Progressive Beings. I wish I was still young and free to be able to join them and stand by them, but instead I will support them and encourage them.
Young Progressive Beings stand for women’s rights, and this should be recognized and applauded.
I am proud to have had the pleasure of interviewing the Young Progressive Beings (YPB) a group of brave, bold, bright, enlightened and informed young women.
Tell me more about YPB, why you got together and what you aim to achieve?
YPB is a radical, intersectional, eco-feminist pro-choice group. The group came about during the EU Summit of 2019, when a handful of young women gathered to greet politicians with a large banner that read: “Welcome to Malta where Women & Girls are just Incubators,” (referring to Malta’s full criminalisation of abortion, as well as a local doctor’s comment that women are ultimately ‘incubators’).
The stunt, as well as the response to it, made it clear that there was a need for young, pro-choice activists. After a series of meetings that were organised in the months that followed, YPB was launched.
The main objective of YPB currently, is reproductive justice and sexual health; however, on a broader scale, we prioritise the social and political mobilisation of the youth. Our present aims include: (1) the decriminalisation of abortion, (2) standardised, scientifically accurate sex education across all schools, (3) free and accessible contraception.
Are you a movement? NGO? Activists?
YPB is currently in the process of officially becoming a non-governmental organisation, consisting of 6 core, activist members. As an organisation, we intend to run various campaigns, with reproductive justice at the forefront of our mission.
Not many young women in Malta are as outspoken, and daring, especially when it comes to controversial subjects – has this caused you any issues with friends, your work place or family?
Being a controversial subject, the cause does not come without negative responses. However, on the whole, the positive remarks and words of encouragement by far outweigh the negative comments. We are lucky that most of our core group have support from both family and friends, but most of all that we support each other.
Since it has been just over a year that the organisation was launched, it is difficult to say whether or not it has affected any job prospects. Although, we would not really want to work in jobs that stifle our outcry for human rights justice. So far, this has not been the case though.
What would you tell other young women who might be worried about sharing their opinions and making their voices heard?
Many women have approached us, supporting the cause yet concealing their identity, in fear of the repercussions. As a group, we usually make it clear to these individuals that the issue at hand is based on a human right, that is available in virtually any European country except Malta. This helps to contextualise the boundaries of stigma on abortion, and how this issue is presently quite limited to Malta.
How do we empower young girls of the future to not be afraid of speaking out, what was it about your upbringing you think that allows you to be brave and to fight for your rights?
We have all experienced very different upbringings. What we do have in common, is that at some stage of our upbringing, we all individually chose to challenge our own beliefs by doing our own research and reading.
Young girls need to be reminded, especially during childhood, of their capabilities and potential, unbound by stereotypes.They need to recognise the patriarchal views of womanhood and reconsider them. Knowledge is strength. By acknowledging the sexist system we are born into they are better armed to fight and change it.
How many are you? and can others join in? Can men join too?
We are currently six core group members: Maya Dimitrijevic, Emily Galea, Rachelle Deguara, Francesca Zammit, Tina Cacopardo, and Sam Vassallo (as well as a list of volunteers/general members). We are always looking for more dedicated, reliable and passionate volunteers! And yes, men, too! For more information on joining us in defending the rights of women, simply contact our Facebook page.
What’s next? What have you got planned for the next few months?
We have a series of stunts and gatherings planned over the next few months, especially online due to the pandemic. In fact, we will be taking part in an ecofeminist webinar sometime in November, so stay tuned by following us on Instagram and Facebook!
What are your thoughts about women’s rights in Malta? Contact us or send us your experiences at [email protected]
Francesca Fenech Conti is passionate about social issues and has a BA in Social Policy. She is the Founder and creator of the women only facebook group Women for Women (Malta) and the Women for Women Foundation that works hand in hand with other NGOs and businesses to empower and support women, especially single mothers.
Francesca recently also launched Wham.com.mt to provide a much needed space on the local media scene to promote women’s voices and to provide women with a source of information regarding their general wellbeing.
Click here to check out Francesca’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
