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Awards Dedicated to Honoring and Appreciating Women

Celebrating the achievements and visionary women who inspire, lead, and make a difference.

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People's Choice
Vote for your MARA 2026 winner

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Alda Bugeja

Ancestral Weaver
Alda Bugeja is a master Maltese weaver dedicated to preserving and elevating traditional textile craftsmanship. Trained from the age of five by her grandmother within a long lineage of Gozitan artisans, she has transformed heritage weaving into a thriving contemporary enterprise. As founder of Gozo Weaving & Creations, Alda works from fibre to finished piece, growing cotton, preparing and spinning wool, applying natural dyes, and mastering both loom-based and off-loom techniques. Her portfolio includes heirloom-quality textiles, bespoke fashion pieces, church vestments, and commissioned works for hotels and cultural institutions. Through her dedication, Alda safeguards Malta’s textile heritage while innovating for future generations and positioning Gozitan craftsmanship on the international stage.

Claire Micallef Pule

Manager, Malta Community Chest Fund
Claire Micallef Pulè, has been a dedicated force within The Malta Community Chest Fund and L-Istrina. Through her work with the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, she plays a central role in supporting individuals and families facing serious illness and financial hardship. Her leadership ensures that patients receive not only financial assistance but also structured guidance, coordinated care support, and compassionate advocacy during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Working closely with healthcare institutions and social support systems, she helps bridge gaps between medical treatment and essential day-to-day needs. For years, Claire has stood at the forefront of community solidarity, helping transform national fundraising efforts into tangible, life-changing assistance. Her unwavering commitment reflects a deep sense of service, empathy, and responsibility, ensuring that no patient feels alone during their journey toward recovery and stability.

Dr. Danika Marmara

Director/ Cancer Researcher
Dr Danika Marmara is a healthcare leader who has played a transformative role in modernising oncology services in Malta. As Director of Cancer Care Pathways at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, she has led the development of coordinated, patient-centred cancer care systems nationwide. Her work introduced Malta’s national cancer nurse navigator programme, fast-track referral pathways for suspected cancers, and the country’s first structured survivorship services. These initiatives have significantly improved diagnostic timelines, reduced emergency admissions, and expanded access to home-based oncology care, directly benefiting thousands of patients and families. Her programmes have been recognised by the World Health Organization and the European Commission as models of best practice in patient-centred oncology care. Through innovation and strategic reform, Dr Marmara continues to strengthen Malta’s healthcare system and improve the experience of patients at every stage of their journey.

Haley Bugeja

Professional Footballer
Haley Bugeja is a Maltese professional footballer who plays for Inter Milan in Italy’s Serie A and the Malta women’s national team. Widely regarded as one of Malta’s brightest sporting talents, she has built an impressive international career at a young age. Haley featured consistently throughout the 2023–24 and 2024–25 Inter seasons, contributing to the club’s attacking strength in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. In the 2025–26 season, she also represented Inter in UEFA competition, bringing Maltese talent onto the European stage. Her journey reflects discipline, resilience, and ambition. As a national team player, she proudly represents Malta in international fixtures, inspiring young athletes to pursue sport at the highest level. Haley’s achievements continue to elevate Malta’s presence in women’s football and position her as a leading role model for the next generation¸

Marvic Camilleri

Community Volunteer
Marvic Camilleri has dedicated 48 years of voluntary service to the 31st Mosta Girl Guides, shaping generations of young women through leadership, resilience, and community spirit. Her commitment ensured continuity even during periods when the group had no permanent premises. For 16 years, she championed the vision of securing dedicated headquarters, a milestone achieved through perseverance and determination. Today, the headquarters stands as a lasting testament to her leadership and belief in the power of guiding. She served as Central District Commissioner for 10 years, represented Malta in international guiding initiatives, and led groups to camps across Europe. This year, she will accompany leaders to Our Cabaña in Mexico, continuing her commitment to global sisterhood and leadership development. An active leader today, Marvic is working to make the headquarters fully accessible, ensuring inclusivity for future generations.

Lydia Abela

Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malta

Dr Lydia Abela, born Lydia Zerafa in 1978, is the wife of Prime Minister Robert Abela. A law graduate with a master’s in Maritime Law, she specialized in Family, Constitutional, Civil, and Environmental Law. In 2010, she became Executive Secretary of the Partit Laburista, working to increase womens’ and youth participation in politics. Lydia and Robert have a daughter, Giorgia Mae.

Passionate about social causes, she supports vulnerable groups, focusing on domestic violence prevention and mental health awareness. As President of Special Olympics Malta since 2021, she promoted inclusion, leading Malta to host the 2022 Invitational Games, which won ‘Best International Sport Event of 2022’.

Who Are We

About MARA

The MARA Awards, founded by Dr Lydia Abela, celebrate and honour the remarkable achievements of women across Malta. Now in its third year, these awards recognise the dedication, talent, and impact of women who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions, highlighting both emerging talents and long-serving leaders across various fields.

Through nominations and celebration, MARA recognises the voices and actions of women whose contributions, often unseen, inspire future generations, strengthen communities, and spark conversations that drive progress. These awards honour women who pave the way for others, recognising achievements that empower, innovate, and inspire.

People’s Choice Award

The People’s Choice Award empowers the public to recognise women whose work has inspired and influenced their communities.

This award is your chance to celebrate a woman making a difference. Every nomination amplifies her story and contributes to a national conversation about women’s impact.

The MARA Board will review all nominations and shortlist five outstanding individuals. Following this, the names are revealed, and the public is invited to vote for their preferred winner.

Mara 2026 Board

The MARA 2026 Board is composed of five distinguished professionals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique expertise, insight, and experience to the awards process. Their combined knowledge spans multiple sectors, reflecting the breadth of talent and leadership celebrated by MARA.

The Board plays a crucial role in ensuring that every nomination is given careful consideration. They review submissions, deliberate thoughtfully, and vote to determine the winners, all while upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and accountability.

Through their guidance, the Board ensures that the MARA Awards remain a credible and respected platform for recognising women whose work, often unseen, has a meaningful and lasting impact. Their dedication guarantees that every award not only celebrates excellence but also inspires future generations of women to lead, innovate, and make a difference.