Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544021
IN the year 2026, women are leaders. Roberta Metsola, Ur- sula Van Der Leyen, Rebecca Buttigieg, Giorgia Meloni, Debbie Kohner, Sirpa Rautio, are all important names. How are they similar to each oth- er? They hold important de- cision-making roles and hail from privileged backgrounds affording them the right to an education, the right to family life, and the right to choose a career path. How are they different from each other? Some are courageous to chal- lenge injustices, and violence against women, others per- petuate a culture of indiffer- ence. As we are in the month ded- icated to celebrating women's rights, let us take a moment of reflection on realities faced by women detained in prisons, especially those for non-vio- lent drug related charges. In February 2026, United Na- tions experts speaking ahead of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women highlighted that globally women's imprison- ment increased by 60%. This figure is nearly three times that of men. Most women are detained for non-violent offences linked with poverty. The UN experts emphasised the importance to explore alternatives to incarceration, especially for minor, non-vi- olent offences. Under this list one finds women trafficked for prostitution, and others used as 'drug mules' to trans- port drugs across internation- al borders. A report on the state of pris- ons in Italy in 2025 is shock- ing. The NGO Antigone high- lights that the overcrowding rate is 133%, and that women represent 4.3% from the total population. Italy has three female prisons, with the one in Venice representing the largest female prison in Eu- rope. The number of foreign women stands at 28.3%, and 11 children live with their mothers in prison. The report sounds the alarm that Italian prisons are reaching a tipping point. When looking at data from Malta, in 2025, a total of 63 women were in prison, out of which only 37 were of Maltese nationality. A critical report on the state of prisons in Malta by the ombudsman published in 2025 unveiled serious shortcomings, with the use of intimidation and abuse adopted as operational tools. Vulnerable people, es- pecially those suffering from drug dependence, were iden- tified as specifically subjected to increased dehumanising treatment and human rights abuse: "The prevailing men- tality within the CCF was that 'any means' were acceptable to achieve these ends, thus undermining the rule of law and fostering abuses of human dignity. Paradoxically, some inmates highly dependent on illicit substances appeared to tolerate or even welcome these forms of intimidation, particularly when combined with treatment approaches that skirted, or exceeded, ac- ceptable standards." Why are Roberta, and Rebec- ca silent? Have they forgotten the tragedy surrounding the case of Kim Borg Virtu? She was young, hopeful, and in need of support. Instead, she found institutional abuse and perished under the hateful glance of those that should have helped and protected her. This is the politics of in- difference. As two of the few democ- racies without an independ- ent human rights institution, both Italy and Malta continue to systematically inflict un- necessary harm to women in detention. This is particularly so for people requiring treat- ment for drug dependence. Some very simple steps are possible. First and foremost, to ur- gently establish an independ- ent human rights Institution with a unit dedicated to in- vestigating and addressing vi- olence against women levied by the state and other institu- tions. Secondly, to increase funds towards restorative justice and alternatives to incarcera- tion for non-violent offences, such as drug law offences. As we celebrate the month dedicated to women's rights and empowerment, let us take stock of abuses levied against our hidden sisters, and challenge the politics of indifference with one united voice: No more state violence against women! 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 MARCH 2026 OPINION Mary Magdalene, is that you? Karen Mamo & Dinah Kate MacMillan Mamo is a human rights and drug policy advocate from Harm Reduction Malta. MacMillan is a women's team project manager from EuroNPUD As we celebrate the month dedicated to women's rights and empowerment, let us take stock of abuses levied against our hidden sisters, and challenge the politics of indifference with one united voice: No more state violence against women!