Kate Gonzi tells mums at divorce activity why she disagrees with pre-marital sex

Kate Gonzi said that pre-marital sexual relations "never crossed her mind" and that such relations "create doubt over whether a man really wants a woman for marriage or for sex."

In a short address during a Mother's Day activity organised by the anti-divorce movement Zwieg Bla Divorzju, the prime minister's wife told an audience of her disagreement with pre-marital sexual relations. "Call me old fashioned but I don't agree with sex before marriage," she said during the speech.

Arriving 35 minutes late for the 10am activity at Villa Arrigo, in a brief mention Gonzi also said she feared that the introduction of divorce would undermine the stability of marriage.

In another address, this time from the wife of Labour leader Joseph Muscat, Michelle Muscat called for the need "to show more tolerance" on the introduction of divorce, in a short mention of the subject.

Elsewhere throughout the discussion, Muscat said that it was important to achieve a work-life balance especially in cases where husbands worked long hours.

But she also expressed 'concern' about "women who had high flying jobs and left the family responsibilities to nannies and other employees".

Labour has constantly sounded off critcism of the government's failed efforts in improving Malta's female labour participation rate, the lowest in the EU. "It is important to set an example for children as a woman who can manage all aspects of her life, from housework and shopping to going out to work and looking feminine," Muscat said.

However she also said that women should be encouraged to go out to work "for self-fulfillment", again expressing how balance is the most important factor.

She added that there should be support from the State to ensure that all families receive the correct support, from preparation before marriage and family counselling when times get tough. However, she said "divorce is necessary when families have broken down beyond repair."

Kate Gonzi addressed the largely female audience to stress the importance of women in society through the ages, especially in bringing up the children. "Women have an intuition that allows them to be in tune with the needs of their children even without the need for expressing those needs with words."

She said women’s role as part of the family was not one done through force or for financial reward but is done for love of the family. “It is a challenge for women to juggle the duties of work and motherhood, but with a series of family-friendly measures, like teleworking, flexitime and childcare centres, women can fulfill both roles,” she said.

She said that a woman’s primary role is to ensure the stability of the family and that children grow up with appropriate morals and values, including the respect of their mothers.