Alternattiva Demokratika commemorated International Womens’ Day today by giving out flowers to women in Valletta’s main streets followed by a press conference. Later in the day a round table discussion on womens’ issues was hosted by Fondazzjoni Ceratonia, an AD affiliated socio-political educational and cultural foundation with the collaboration of the Russian Cultural Centre in Valletta.

Spokesperson on Health and Social Protection Mary Anne Zammit opened the press conference by stating that, “recent statistics show that there is still a gender pay gap in EU member states. Although in Malta this gap seems to be one of the lowest action should still be taken to ensure equal pay for equal work and also to help improve the work/life balance for all workers and employees. Since one of the reasons for the pay gap is the fact that women still do most of the household and childcare work, the EU should also make it obligatory for member states to provide childcare places for at least 90% of children aged between 3 and 6. This measure is demanded as part of the Lisbon Strategy. Malta is still very far off this target. It is also vital that companies do much more to give their female employees opportunities for promotion, including specific training programmes. The effectiveness of these programmes should be thoroughly evaluated and governments should provide subsidies and grants only to companies who have these training schemes.”

Spokesperson on Civil Rights and MEP candidate Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros commented on domestic violence. She insisted that domestic violence is an underestimated problem. Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros said, “When we say domestic violence we mean violence or the threat of physical, psychological or sexual violence. Violence against women is one of the most common forms of all violence. It produces more casualties than wars, terrorist attacks or natural disasters. It is said to effect 1 in 3 women at some point in their lives and it is estimated that worldwide, one in five women will become a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. Any sort of violence or attempted violence against women whether in the home, workplace, or elsewhere should never be accepted. We have to empower victims to speak out and look for help. In this regard various social NGOs are trying hard to help women victims of violence; their work should be appreciated more and they should be supported by the state to be able to give a better service.”

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros noted that MEPs have until 12 March to sign a written declaration which calls for a “European Year on Zero Tolerance of Violence against Women.” A Parliamentary written declaration comes into effect if a majority of MEPs sign it. She added, “If a majority of MEPs sign this declaration, it will be sent to the President who will announce it in plenary and forward it to the Commission and Council. I sincerely hope our current 5 male MEPs have already signed this declaration.”

AD Chairperson and MEP candidate Arnold Cassola said that Malta should be at the forefront when it comes to equality. He said that on the 27 November 2008, the EU Commission sent reasoned opinions to six countries to fully implement EU rules prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation on the grounds of sex. Arnold Cassola said:’Austria, Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy and Malta had two months to respond. We are informed that the necessary changes are being debated by parliament at the moment, with the amendments at the second reading stage. We are pleased that at least after the EU Commission’s ‘reasoned opinion’, parliament is considering improving legislation as requested by the EU Commission. The EU Commission had identified as the main problems in the legislation of the mentioned six countries as including definitions of direct and indirect discrimination; rights of women on maternity leave; and the functioning of equality bodies’.

Arnold Cassola concluded, “We augur that the Maltese parliament, for the benefit of us all, implements all equality directives expediently and effectively. For us Greens civil rights and effective gender equality legislation are top priority both here in Malta and thoughout the European Union.”

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