Economic Situation Of Women In Malta
Economic Situation of Women in Malta
Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (Malta)
Background situation in Malta
Gender mainstreaming features as a significant priority within the Maltese Government’s policies over the past two decades. This reflects the increased awareness of the need to address gender-related issues in order to enable women and men to participate fully and on an equal footing in the various spheres of socio-economic and political life. One of the major challenges facing Maltese society at the turn of the new millennium is that of transforming the labour market from one that is largely male-dominated to one which provides access, opportunities and rewards equally to all workers regardless of their gender.
A commitment to promote gender equality reflects itself through a number of policy and legal measures as well as various support initiatives implemented especially over the past two decades. The removal of the Marriage Bar in 1981; the introduction of parental (instead of maternal) leave; structures that allow for flexible work patterns; the provision of responsibility breaks; the extension of maternity leave and the introduction of childcare provision were undoubtedly steps in the right direction.
Major achievements were also attained within the Maltese legal framework, especially since the ratification of the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1991, involving an associated amendment of the Maltese Constitution. The recently amended labour legislation (Employment & Industrial Relations Act of 2002, Chapter 452) also addressed a series of gender concerns. Furthermore, the Act to Promote Equality for Men and Woman (Chapter 456) not only addresses a number of issues in this regard but also provides for the establishment of a National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women. These important legal structures together with what is...
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