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NEWS 5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 JANUARY 2022 These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. LAURA CALLEJA ROBERT Metsola wore a white jacket for Tuesday's vote in Strasbourg that saw her elected president of the European Par- liament but it was not a fashion statement. Indeed, even Metsola's running mates Alice Kuhnke and Sira Re- go wore white for the occasion. The three women candidates were about to break a glass ceiling - the last woman to head the EP was Nicole Fontaine, 22 years ago. In her acceptance speech af- ter being declared winner, Met- sola marked the significance of her victory: "I know that having the first female president of this House since 1999 matters inside and outside these rooms... It will not be another two decades un- til the next woman is standing here." And this is why her white jacket matters because the colour is reminiscent of the Suffragette movement in the beginning of the 20th century when activists wore white for their rallies. Wearing white has since turned into a symbol of sisterhood and solidarity, reflecting the progress made by those who fought for women's suffrage decades before. Initially, white was chosen by the suffragists because it was inconspicuous, and white was considered a feminine colour representing purity of body and mind. However, in later years it became a symbol of resistance that can be attributed to a rally in 1908 at London's Hyde Park, which attracted 300,000 protest- ers. The visual impact of a unified dress code became an important tactic of resistance. In recent years politicians such as US Democratic Con- gresswoman Alexandria Oca- sio-Cortez wore white as she was sworn into Congress in 2019 along with many of her Demo- cratic colleagues. Other prominent figures such as Hillary Clinton have worn white at various points in her ca- reer. Metsola was elected president of the European Parliament, ob- taining the support of an abso- lute majority of MEPs in the first round. The 42-year-old mother of four is the first Maltese to occupy one of the highest institutional posts in the EU. She is the first woman to occupy the role of EP presi- dent since 1999. During her speech, she called for women's rights to be protect- ed. "This House will never accept those who threaten the rights of women and LGBTIQ," Metsola said. Why did Roberta Metsola wear white? There is a history of struggle behind it Above: The Suffragette movement wore white for its vast rallies at the beginning of the 20th century • Inset: Sira Rigo, candidate for the presidency for The Left, ES also wore white Roberta Metsola embracing Alice Kuhnke (left) Call for Applications: The Broadcasting Authority is seeking to fill the post of Project Manager A detailed job description is to be found on the Broadcasting Authority's website: http://www.ba.org.mt. Applicants must submit a letter of application together with a detailed copy of their CV by: • e-mail to administration.ba@ba.org.mt • not later than noon, Monday 24 th January 2022 Late applications will not be considered Jobs Plus Permit 804/2021 The Broadcasting Authority is a constitutional entity which regulates, licenses and monitors all radio and television broadcasts originating from the Maltese Islands. Broadcasting Authority 7, Mile End Road, ĦAMRUN ĦMR 1719, Malta. Telephone: +356 2201 6000