Iva chairperson Deborah Schembri writes to women ahead of referendum
Iva movement chairperson Deborah Schembri has told women in a letter she sent to electors, easing fears of maintenance and alimony rights being lost with the introduction of divorce.
“You are being asked to take a decision which will impact heavily on Maltese women’s rights… I understand you might be worried, as the campaign was built on fear by those telling you to vote 'No'.”
Schembri said the proposed divorce law will safeguard maintenance agreements in separation contracts, which remain valid after divorce. “It is not the case that maintenance of women and children will be affected.”
She wrote that a situation where a father has to maintain children from a first, and second marriage on minimum wage “is no different to the present situation because children always need to be maintained.”
She also wrote that the right to a widow’s pension will be the same as for those who get annulment. “Women normally pay for their children’s tertiary education, because maintenance today is until the age of 18. A proposition has been made to increase this to the age of 23.”
On children, she pointed that kids suffer because marriage breaks down, but they would not suffer any more with the introduction of divorce than they already do with separation and annulment.
“We must not forget that the only alternative today is forced cohabitation and children born out of wedlock. Rights of women who are forced to cohabit are not safeguarded. Women who cohabit don’t have a right to maintenance, don’t have a right to a pension, and don’t have a right to benefits of joint computation.”
She said studies reveal that women in cohabitation relationships are more susceptible to domestic violence and depression, and such relationships are not as stable as marriages. She also said women tend to apply for separations more than men, and also for divorce where applicable.
“Children will always have one mother and one father. Nobody can take their place, even when one parent enters into a new relationship after the first marriage breaks down. This won’t change with divorce.
“Dearest, you, your children, a relative or a close friend might need the right of divorce in the future. God willing, it won’t be the case, but it’s better to have a right which you don’t use rather than go look for it and don't find it. I am sure that with your vote, you are going to assure that woman whose life is shattered, the chance for a new opportunity to love and respect.”
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What amazes me is that you criticized the No movement about the letter...yet, you wrote one yourself!
If you were convinced that people in favor of the Yes were not gullible, then, you should not have sent the letter.
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Good for Deborah.
To whoever wants "IVA" - let's all stand up and be counted.
The choice should be available for all - civil rights have nothing at all to do with the Church.
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Thank you for all your efforts Deborah! Thank you for affirming that women are not some dumb recipients of scary bogey stories! Whatever the result, we <3 you! :)
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@mikegold117
Leave politics out of it. Me and my family have voted PN all our lives. We are all voting yes for divorce. Do you remember the slogan 'Xoghol, Gustizzja, Liberta' ?
Does Liberta' (freedom) mean imposing on others what they should/should not do? I do not need divorce. I am not afraid of it either. But if someone needs it or thinks he does, than he can use it.
A big 'Yes' for freedom of choice.
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FarrugiaC - Deborah qalet li n-nisa hassewhom insultati bill kontenut tal-ittra u mhux ghax irceveha.
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@ Farrugia C
Hekk hu. Però jidher li kienet kostretta twiegeb ghal hafna gideb li kien hemm f'dik l-ittra. Huwa evidenti li l-wording tal-ittra huwa mahsub biex iwiegeb ghal dik mimlija gideb ta' ftit jiema ilu.
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mikegold117 - you convinced me that you are STILL living in the past.
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@ Edejoyce I's sure its Anna Vella you meant in your earlier submission. Dr. Anna Mallia is usually very articulate and no nonsense woman whose contributions make sense. And a big thank you for Dr Debroah Schembri for the way you led this campaign despite the dirty campaign mounted by ZbD.
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Dil gimgha Deborah ma qalitx li hi u hafna nisa hassewhom insultati ghax Joyce u Anna kitbu ittra indirizata lin nisa?!!
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Well done Debbie! You are the best discovery of this campaign
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@edyjoyce, this the biggest problem in the pl, that when you don't agree with you start attacking. This is the Terorrisim.
About the parties it is the pl who areorganising them in case the IVA wins
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We must keep convincing people up to the last minute, that only will secure a YES vote.
Austin Gatt and co, won't have anything to party about.
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"...who unfortunately her marriage broke down."
I sincerely hope that's not verbatim. If not it's an atrocious translation :)
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ti 'mikegold': If you were convinced by such banal arguments made by the 'Scarecrows' campaign, I can understand that you are incapablle of choosing between right and wrong ! And yet, you feel you are entitled to deny others the right to remarry if they want to, once their marriage would have broken up years and years ago. Mine 30 years ago !
Prosit Deborah. You made a lot more sense than Joyce Cassar and Anna mallia.
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I will vote ''YES'' if it's not for me, for someone who needs it, who am I, to stop them from getting divorce!!
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WOW, you convinced me. I will vote No
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Deborah you convinced my mum! :)
