Recently an anguished mother contacted Francesca Fenech Conti, administrator of the group Women for Women (Malta), about a shocking issue she encountered when picking up a police conduct for her son…a son she had to raise on her own because his father refused to take any responsibility for his upbringing, leading the mother to register her son as having an “unknown father”. Despite the shock and emotional pain endured due to the situation, this mother is now on a quest to see justice prevail and to bring about the necessary changes in this regard. This is her story…
Living in a Patriarchal Society – A Woman’s Shocking Experience Due To ‘Unknown Father’
Of all the political and activist individuals I have contacted so far, Francesca has been the only woman who has supported me with this matter. But before I proceed with Francesca’s proposal, I thought I should share my story with you here to make sure that this cause is indeed a justified one.
I am a single mother to a child who had to bear the status of “unknown father” in his birth certificate. With this certificate, we had to endure some humiliating questions, looks and attitude anywhere we had to hand this in. Passport office, schools, employment, sports club etc. Obviously, for those who have not experienced my situation, it was judged for what it looks like – an unknown father: a phrase which would immediately turn me into a prostitute with a son so unwanted and unfortunate.
Truth is, the child was unwanted by the father who refused any responsibility, and for me to ease my way through the legalities of custody process, I registered him as unknown father. I never cared about maintenance and never planned to seek it. I was also never provided with any additional allowances since I have always worked – and worked hard enough not to be entitled to any social benefits.
I have recently requested a certificate of police conduct for his first job, and to my horror, under the section listed as “parents” – this was marked as n/a. When I enquired about it, I was informed that since the child’s father is not known, then none of his parents can be listed in his certificates.
I was left in shock and am mortified at this to say the least. I have worked hard single-handedly to raise the man he is today. I have fought against everyone to keep my child at just 16 years old. I paid for all his education, his sports, his healthcare and all the needs a child would require, and yet I am not recognized as his parent.
Ironically, I have read in the media that laws are being considered for children not to be given a gender and for it to be kept private amid others.
This is heartbreaking and totally unacceptable, and I vouched to act on this matter without further ado for the sake of everyone else living the same situation. Please feel free to get in touch if you want to be part of this call for change!
Are you ready to be part of the much needed revolutionary change in this regard? Contact us or send us an email at [email protected] or contact Women for Women Foundation. Together we can make a difference.
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
