On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Alternattiva Demokratika has called for more concrete measures which protect the rights of women and which give them real equal opportunities.
Angele Deguara, AD spokesperson for Social Affairs, said, "While we recognise the significant progress that women have made in various social spheres of Maltese society over the past decades, there is still much more to be done especially with regards to measures which facilitate an effective work-life balance. Maltese women are still not adequately represented in parliament and in various other spheres of public life especially within the higher positions of any organisation. There are still many women who are still in practice being denied real opportunities to realise their potential, largely due to the fact that they are still mainly responsible for childcare. Our existing social policy has still not taken this issue seriously enough."
"Furthermore, AD urges the Government to step up its investment in social protection structures so that more women, especially those who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, poverty and homelessness as well as other vulnerable women, would be given the necessary protection and help in the most effective way."
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, added, "As a Green Party, AD believes that both men and women, irrespective of the type of family in which they live, should have equal rights and responsibilities. In this regard, in order to facilitate women’s access to employment, civil society, politics and other public spheres, men should be more involved in caring roles such as the upbringing of children."