Moviment Zwieg bla Divorzju calls for a coalition ‘in favour of the family’

Anti-divorce movement Zwieg bla Divorzju said impact assessments used for new developments should also be applied in laws affecting families. “Family is the backbone of the social environment and it should be given more importance than it is given to the physical environment.”

The movement has proposed the setting up of a family coalition, with members coming from different spheres of society, to become a strong lobby group in favour of the family. “The coalition should work to change laws and policies so families built on lasting marriages will truly be at the centre of our society.”

The movement added that a ‘No’ vote in the referendum will not only mean ‘no’ to a “divorce without reason”, but also send a clear message that “Maltese and Gozitans want legislators to dedicate more time and resources for the strengthening of the family.”

“Our country’s strength depends on the strength of our families,” it added.

The movement reiterated its position against divorce as “it weakens the institution of marriage and undermines the social interest which is eating off of the value of the Maltese family”.

Movement spokesperson Arthur Galea Salomone said: “we should converge our energy to form a coalition in favour of the family, as strong families form a strong society.”

The movement added “evolution and progress should not be used as convenient excuses to erode away the institution which is most at heart to this country – the Family.”

Legislators, the movement said, had a major responsibility towards the strengthening of the Maltese society.

It appealed to them to “continue to strengthening measures aimed at helping those who experience difficulties in their marriage; find effective new measures which strengthen, rather than break up families; and allocate more funds to the university's Centre for Family Studies so that it can find out which are the challenges and opportunities faced by the Maltese family."

"This research should be the basis of a social policy in favour of the family.”