The Hon. Dr Justyne Caruana

It was a pleasure to sit and chat with The Hon. Dr Justyne Caruana for GITH Woman. I discovered her love for rock music and like every other woman, how she hit rock bottom, but above all, how she chooses to rock UP in this world, stand up for what she believes in, and remain rock-solid in the process.

Minister Justyne initially asked why I wanted the interview, as we logged online. Her cheeky humour was immediately apparent, “I’m one of a kind aren’t I? She joked. A year on from her very public January 2020, she has TV producers chasing her for her story but thankfully she is managing to find some calm after the storm. We continued to talk about her upbringing and her being the child that always spoke up for her friends in school. We pondered over her race to grow up and become a lawyer and continue that good fight. “It’s been within me from an early age. Even if I wasn’t in politics, I think I would still do it. As a lawyer I used to work for free – I’d never charge my clients because it was about standing up for what was right. Now looking at my bank account, I regret I didn’t charge a couple of them!“

I love her humour.

This warrioress is a self-made, driven human who has studied hard and landed a job in one of the hardest and most challenging industries on the planet. She is a somewhat balanced individual who relies both on her male and female side for survival. Her militancy and drive are undisputable and her omnipresent and advantageous instinct, treasured. “I have a very strong instinct and most of the time it has lead me in the right direction. It has worked miracles.“

After our chat, I was left with a feeling that the reset she endured in 2020, like the rest of us really – has had its benefits. Perhaps there was an element of life pre-crisis that was not sustainable. Perhaps this new path will bear more fruit than the illusion of the last. Things are a little different now. She’ll still be reading reports at bedtime and you’ll never find her in a beauty salon, but nowadays she enjoys good conversation, a coffee or dinner with friends when she switches off and she’s sleeping much better.

Whether you believe in her politics or not, one thing you can’t dispute, is that this lady IS one of a kind. She is tenacious, persistent, determined and steadfast. And her time on this earth is and will be devoted to the things that she believes in and her greater good. And that is worth celebrating and a lesson to us all.

What are you working on right now?

I am now the Minister for Education in Malta, and still familiarising myself with the role but I have already started to introduce my ideas. I want to make education for everyone. I don’t want to test our students on how much they don’t know but how much they do know and how much they can know. It’s all about potential and making learning relatable and fun. I’ve been a student myself. You have to enjoy learning.

What drives you to do what you do?

I love what I do and I know I can do it. I’ve wanted to do it from an early age and have been doing it all my life. Even in primary school, I was always the one speaking up for my friends or for someone in need. As long as you want it, that’s the key. If you want it, you always find a way to do it. No matter what it takes. This is something I chose. Nobody encouraged me or forced me. Whatever I do I plant my whole self into it 200%, with all my passion and energy. A goal is there to achieve it.

What or who inspires you?

Myself and my family. I look within me a lot you know? For perspective. Self-discipline is a must in my book. My mother too. She is a very strong woman, the strongest in our family. My father used to work abroad so she was both my father and my mother at the same time. I was an only child and had a strict upbringing. I was always very independent. I went to primary school in the church, then secondary and I moved to Malta at seventeen years old, on my own to study. I went back home at the weekends. Gozitans have to grow up early and fast and that is why we are stronger and more resilient.

What has been your biggest lesson so far?

I’ve been a year out of politics, not from my own doing, but for something my husband did. It was a very difficult year and not a happy one but my inner strength helped me to survive and keep going and I am now doing what I know and what I do best. I have learned with politics that you are there to serve. Sometimes you can and sometimes you can’t.

What’s been one of your proudest moments so far?

All of it. It’s been an uphill struggle but, all of it. It’s a man’s world, no matter what you say, so we have to fight, but each and every day, I want it, so I win everyday. I find the fire stimulating of course and I’m very fiery indeed and I’m getting worse with age!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Repeat everything I did but with less thought. Sometimes I over thought things and I perhaps could have been more impulsive although I never lost my spontaneity. The years when you start thinking about settling down, perhaps I should have thought about that more. Looking at the outcome, I’m pretty sure I should have!

What’s your tip for life-work balance? 

Manage your time well, and then you have to prioritise. I am a woman, I am Gozitan, I have to commute, I am a professional, I’m a lawyer, I’m a mother of two, I am a politician.. so I have a lot to mix and match, but I always manage it. I am a workaholic but nowadays I am learning to switch off with company. Going out for coffee or dinner. I didn’t do this before, but now I am doing it!

What general advice would you give to a woman who wants to get into politics

If you see things differently and if you love what you do, do what you love. If you are passionate about something – go for it. It’s not what you don’t do, it’s how you do things and how you make them better.

What book changed your life in some way?

I have read a lot of books. I still read a lot of books but I enjoy reading and studying The Divine Comedy, which describes Dante’s travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise and Heaven.

The Takeaway. Be inspired by Justyne’s confidence and her adaptability, authenticity, and strength. Champion her capability and celebrate her aptitude and accomplishments.

These are some of the ways Justyne shows up in the world:

Twitter | Wiki

Author: Andrea Britton

Andrea is the Creative Director and Editor at GITH. Tweet her at @andreabritton or send stories to hello@gozointhehouse.com.