National Council of Women of Malta - Promoting Equality of Opportunities

UfM adopts new project to support women’s empowerment in the Mediterranean

A project aimed at developing women’s empowerment in the Mediterranean through the development of effective field projects and the setting up of networks and platforms, was adopted by Senior Officials of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) at a meeting held last month.

European Commission gives guidance to Europe's insurance industry to ensure non-discrimination betwe

Brussels, 22 December 2011 – The European Commission has adopted guidelines to help the insurance industry implement unisex pricing, after the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that different premiums for men and women constitute sex discrimination.

Prevention is key to ending violence against women, says UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay

[UN, New York, 5 July 2011] Prevention of violence against women was the focus of a discussion on women’s human rights held last month at the UN in Geneva in the framework of the 17th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Commonwealth People’s Forum provides crucial interface between governments and civil society

Perth, Western Australia hosted the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) from 25th to 27th October 2011 in the run up of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 28 to 30th October 2011. These meetings are held every two years.

Female mentors to help woman entrepreneurs to get started

Brussels, 15 November 2011. A new European network of mentors to promote female entrepreneurship through the sharing of know-how and experience has been launched today by the European Commission. Women only account for 34.4% of the self-employed in Europe.

SCOOP: Socio-economic Sciences: Communicating Outcomes Oriented to Policy

SCOOP: Socio-economic Sciences: Communicating Outcomes Oriented to Policy is supported by the European Union under the Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities 7th Framework Programme for Research. Project duration: October 2009 - September 2012.

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of victims of gender-based and domestic violence

Brussels, 16/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe has created a convention to protect the victims of gender-based and domestic violence. It was presented in a press conference at the European Parliament on 15 June with José Manuel Bota, chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Eva-Britt Svensson, chair of the EP women's rights and gender equality committee.

Brussels, 30/05/2011 (Agence Europe)

In adopting the report by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP, Greece) on women and business leadership on 25 May, the European Parliament (EP) women's rights/equal opportunities committee calls on the Commission to prepare “a road map setting specific, measurable, appropriate and realistic targets, with a timetable, for the achievement of balanced representation”.

Youth on the Move – starting on the journey through life

For many young people in Europe, the final years of school and the transition from education into work present major challenges. The economic crisis has only increased the obstacles they face in obtaining the skills and qualifications needed to secure a satisfying job and a secure place in society.

First European Equal Pay Day highlights EU earnings gap

Women in the European Union earn on average 17.5% less than men during their lifetimes. This stark figure will be highlighted tomorrow during the first EU-wide Equal Pay Day. This day – 5 March – marks the extra number of days in 2011 that women must work to match the amount of money earned by men in 2010. The European Commission is committed to closing the gender pay gap and published an overall strategy for gender equality in September 2010 (see IP/10/1149 and MEMO/10/430). This year’s Equal Pay Day, which aims to raise awareness of the pay gap, comes ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March.

Statement by the EWL on the adoption of a new Pact for Gender Equality (2011-2020)

[Brussels, 16 March 2011] The EWL has issued a Statement in the aftermath of the Council of the EU’s adoption last week of a new Pact for Gender Equality 2011-2020. While welcoming the renewed commitment of the Member States to the fulfilment of the EU Treaty ambitions in relation to equality between women and men, the EWL regrets that no binding concrete measures, including targets, are foreseen in the Pact, except the renewed commitment to the Barcelona childcare objectives.

UN Women

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously decided to establish UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Self-employed workers to gain maternity and pension benefits under new EU law

Self-employed workers and their partners will enjoy better social protection – including the right to maternity leave for the first time – under new legislation endorsed by EU governments today.

More women in top jobs key to economic growth, says EU report

Only one in 10 board members of Europe's biggest listed companies is a woman and all central bank governors in the EU are male.

Tackling the gender pay gap – Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need to tackle the gender pay gap? At 18% across Europe, the gender pay gap remains intolerably high and stubborn. Equal pay for equal work is one of the European Union’s founding principles.

Longer parental leave and incentives for fathers

Longer parental leave and incentives for fathers agreed by EU ministersEuropean Commission, Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Parents will have the right to longer parental leave, under new rules agreed by EU ministers today.

05/01/2012 - UfM adopts new project to support women’s empowerment in the Mediterranean

05/01/2012 - European Commission gives guidance to Europe's insurance industry to ensure non-discrimination betwe

29/11/2011 - Prevention is key to ending violence against women, says UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay

29/11/2011 - Commonwealth People’s Forum provides crucial interface between governments and civil society

16/11/2011 - Female mentors to help woman entrepreneurs to get started

17/10/2011 - SCOOP: Socio-economic Sciences: Communicating Outcomes Oriented to Policy

20/06/2011 - Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of victims of gender-based and domestic violence

08/06/2011 - Brussels, 30/05/2011 (Agence Europe)

16/05/2011 - Youth on the Move – starting on the journey through life

11/04/2011 - First European Equal Pay Day highlights EU earnings gap

19/03/2011 - Statement by the EWL on the adoption of a new Pact for Gender Equality (2011-2020)

07/03/2011 - International Women's Day – one hundred years after

Women forging the way ahead While acknowledging the work of many courageous women activists whose foresight in different parts of the world created the pathway to gender equality, not without difficulty and personal pain, NCW calls for an analysis of the Maltese situation to ensure that women forging the way ahead can be translated into action

07/03/2011 - UN Secretary-General's Message on International Women's Day

One hundred years ago, when the world first commemorated International Women’s Day, gender equality and women’s empowerment were largely radical ideas. On this centenary, we celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved through determined advocacy, practical action and enlightened policy making. Yet, in too many countries and societies, women remain second-class citizens.

30/12/2010 - Seminar Caring for the Unborn Child

The Malta Unborn Child Movement and the Swedish Embassy in Malta, in collaboration with the Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta and the Malta Midwives Association organised the Seminar - Caring for the Unborn Child at the Auditorium of Mater Dei Hospital, on 10th December, 2010.

18/11/2010 - EU and Mediterranean civil society reach historic deal on a joint Assembly

Civil society organisations from the EU and countries around the Mediterranean met in Rome from 10 to 12 November 2010 for the annual Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions. In what they hailed a historic move, they adopted a statute for the future civil society Assembly and agreed to seek consultative body status within the Union for the Mediterranean.

02/08/2010 - NCW Resolution: Health and Safety at Work

NCW aware that health and safety at work should be seen as a key factor for economic growth and productivity. It involves not just businesses and workers but society as a whole.

02/08/2010 - NCW Resolution: Legal framework for temporary workers

NCW aware that a new Directive has been recently adopted at an EU level with the specific objective of regulating the employment conditions of temporary workers,

07/07/2010 - UN Women

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously decided to establish UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

09/06/2010 - Self-employed workers to gain maternity and pension benefits under new EU law

Self-employed workers and their partners will enjoy better social protection – including the right to maternity leave for the first time – under new legislation endorsed by EU governments today.

12/05/2010 - OBSTACLES TO THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN DECISION-MAKING

Addressing the issue of women's participation in decision-making is one of the six priorities of the EU Roadmap for Gender Equality 2006-2010. All member states are obliged to take the necessary measures to implement the Roadmap. NCW Vice-President Grace Attard, who worked on the project, stated that it is in this context that the NCW, in collaboration with the National Statistics Office, has conducted this study on ‘Obstacles to the Participation of Women in Decision-making’ (a UNESCO project). The Conference was held on Tuesday 22nd May at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, to present the findings and to identify obstacles for women in decision-making posts in political, economic and social sectors.

25/03/2010 - More women in top jobs key to economic growth, says EU report

Only one in 10 board members of Europe's biggest listed companies is a woman and all central bank governors in the EU are male.

10/03/2010 - Tackling the gender pay gap – Frequently Asked Questions

10/03/2010 - Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship - Gen

European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at significantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years.

17/12/2009 - Longer parental leave and incentives for fathers

26/11/2009 - Neqirdu il-pjaga tal-Vjolenza Domestika – Kulhadd ghandu sehem x’jaghti

Il-Vjolenza domestika sew psikologika, emozzjonali jew fizika tmur kontra d-dritt fundamental tal-bniedem ghall-hajja u dritt ta’ sikurezza b’mod partikolari fil-familja, l-ambjent l-aktar essenzjali ghall-hajja decenti.

02/11/2009 - 4th Congress of the Small States of Europe

4th CONGRESS OF THE SMALL STATES OF EUROPE The Role of Gender Equality in the Small States of Europe The National Council of Women of Malta hosted the 4th UNESCO Congress for Women Organisations from the Eight Small States of Europe from the 24 to 27 September 2009 at The Palace Hotel, Sliema.

02/11/2009 - SMEs: A favourable business environment: supporting enterprise and job creation

'Think Small First': A Small Business Act for Europe At a time when there is a global financial and economic crisis, it is companies, in particular SMEs that are the most sensitive and at the same time the most important elements in terms of job creation and recovery capacity. SMEs are a crucial part of our economy and a major source of employment, entrepreneurial skills and innovation

02/11/2009 - Future Skills for Future Jobs

Anticipating labour market and skills needs The need to address Labour Market Skills Issues at European level Europe, potentially, faces a major skills problem in the near future. Over 20 million new jobs are expected to be created between 2006 and 2020. Another 85 million jobs will be available to replace people who retire or leave the labour market for other reasons.

02/11/2009 - Breast Screening – a lifeline for women

The National Council of Women welcomes the long awaited breast screening programme that the Council has been pushing for in line with WHO requirements for many years

20/08/2008 - Dismissal of pregnant women during the probation period

Article 10 point 1 of Council Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage...

20/08/2008 - The National Council of Women welcomes the Paris Declaration of the Union for the Mediterranean

The initiative of President Sarkozy to give life to a strong Mediterranean Union was met with wide

20/08/2008 - Time for reform of the MCESD

The reform of the MCESD is an issue that very rarely is given the importance it deserves by the Media, in particular...

Council Views

22/12/2011 - NCW approves the agreement on the extension of maternity leave

The National Council of Women (NCW) is pleased to note Government’s successful efforts to reach agreement on the extension of paid maternity leave with the social partners within the MCESD.

22/12/2011 - NCW japprova l-ftehim dwar l-leave tal-maternita’

Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tan-Nisa (NCW) jifrah lill-Gvern li bil-hidma tieghu wasal ghal ftehim ma’ l-imsiehba socjali fi hdan l-MCESD dwar l-estenzjoni tal-leave tal-maternita’ bi hlas, li issa se jitla ghal 18-il gimgha,

29/11/2011 - NCW targeting Youth in Campaign on Domestic Violence

The National Council of Women (NCW) regards families as the backbone of a strong and healthy community and the establishment of loving supportive relationships from a young tender age as being the heart of happy, well functioning families.

10/10/2011 - Trafficking of women for sexual exploitation….the fight goes on!

The National Council of Women strongly supports and looks forward to the proposed steps to be taken by the Office of the Attorney General and the Malta Police Force to review and propose reforms on current procedures concerning the identification of victims of human trafficking, before the initiation of prosecution proceedings. However, NCW calls for stronger measures to address these issues in a more comprehensive manner

19/07/2011 - The Contribution of the National Council of Women on the Divorce Bill in Committee stage (13 .07.2

NCW calls for careful study of implications in current divorce bill The divorce bill is in a very sensitive phase and a number of issues need to be addressed to reduce difficulties and hardship for all parties, including children that will otherwise arise when it is enacted and implemented. The National Council of Women calls on the members of the Committee that is currently studying the bill to look into these issues and others and address them, before the final law is enacted, when it goes before Parliament in the coming days.

21/03/2011 - NCW Press Release: New Legislation to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings

On the 14th of December the European Parliament voted with a strong majority in favour of the Directive against trafficking in human beings that the Commission proposed in March 2010. This Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, and protecting victims, will replace the Council Framework Decision from 2002.

19/03/2011 - Proposal for a directive on gender-based violence

Brussels, 16/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - A criminal law instrument in the form of an EU directive against gender-based violence should be put in place. Rape and other sexual violence against women should be recognised as a crime throughout the EU.

14/03/2011 - Immediate action on domestic violence should be a priority

The National Council of Women is deeply concerned with the court ruling regarding the recent case of domestic violence viewed practically by all the Maltese population. The law, in its definitions of what constitutes a “household “does not include people who are dating, unless they lived together 'within a year" prior to the offence, which could be interpreted to mean any period of time between one day and twelve months.

11/03/2011 - Economic crisis casts a shadow over Women's Day celebrations

Vital services cut by savings measures EU citizens are battling to maintain their standard of living in the face of the economic crisis, cuts and austerity measures. Women are hit twice over: not only do cuts in public spending affect sectors which employ many women, but austerity measures also undermine the services they depend on.

05/03/2011 - Il-Jum Internazzjonali tal-Mara – Mitt sena wara

Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tan-Nisa, NCW jsellem lin-nisa qalbiena madwar id-dinja kollha li matul dawn il-mit sena kellhom vizzjoni ta’ fejn ghandha tasal li minkejja r-rezistenza u tbatija irnexxiehom ifasslu t-triq li twassal ghall-ugwaljanza bejn l-irgiel u n-nisa.

23/02/2011 - NSO/NCW Survey: Obstacles to the Participation of Women in Decision-Making Positions

This survey was carried out by the National Statistics Office on behalf of the National Council of Women in collaboration with NCW Vice-President Grace Attard. It was conducted amongst a sample of 1,432 persons aged 18 and over, of which 1,004 or 82.6 per cent accepted to respond. Of the respondents, 51.0 per cent were women and 49.5 per cent were gainfully occupied. The questionnaire covered a number of topics relating to women in the work-place, such as prospects for promotion and obstacles in being promoted, as well as opinions on the balance of men and women in parliament and local councils.

30/12/2010 - National Council of Women deplores decision of Council of Ministers on Maternity Leave

The National Council of Women deplores the negative vote leading to the defeat of the proposed directive on the extension of maternity leave by the Council of Ministers. Once again this shows that monetary priorities come before the health and safety of working mothers and their newborn child as well as the demographic deficit and related fertility rates which are nose-diving all over Europe and which are counter to economic growth.

18/11/2010 - Violence in the Home – What action?

The National Council of Women is deeply concerned with the increase of aggressive incidents of violence often resulting in brutal deaths as a result of domestic problems often related to situations of separation between couples, reported regularly in the local media

14/10/2010 - Konsultazzjoni ma’ l-Imsiehba Socjali u s-Socjeta’ Civili dwar il-Budget 2011

Il_Konsultazzjoni dwar id-dokument ta’ qabel il-Budget tas-sena 2011 kompliet pemezz ta’ djalogu ma’ l-imsiehba socjali u s-scocjeta’ civili nhar il-Hamis 28 ta’ Settembru fil-lukanda Le Meridien, San Giljan Il-Ministru tal-Finanzi, l-Onor Tonio Fenech ghamel prezentazzjoni li fiha elenka l-oqsma fejn l-ekonomija qed tirpilja u oqsma ohra fejn iridu jittiehdu aktar mizuri ta’ ristrutturar biex tizdied b’mod sostanzjali l-produttivita’ taghhom. Tkellem ukoll dwar tbassir ghax-xhur li gejjin fejn l-istatistika tindika xejra pozittiva lejn tkabbir ekonomiku ghalkemm b’kawtela

02/08/2010 - The Gender Perspective in the EU 2020 Strategy

One of the key targets of the Lisbon Strategy was increasing the participation rate of women in the labour market, which however failed to be reached in specific areas for several reasons.

17/05/2010 - NCW EP Public Dialogue

Women in Public Life - A Changing Scenario More Women in Senior positions – key to economic stability and growth

04/03/2010 - International Women's Day Message

Women should not be penalized for being mothers The National Council of Women calls on all MEPs to vote in favour of the health and safety directive extending the length of maternity and paternity leave which will be before the European Parliament on the 24 and 25 March, after a vote failed to be taken in December of 2009.

28/01/2010 - Respecting the dignity of women and men in the media

NCW strongly deplores the publication and subsequent sensational media follow-up regarding the recent publication in a University students newsletter that depicts men and women in a degrading and offensive manner, under the pretext of ‘fiction’ or ‘literary’ work Without going into the legal provisions regarding such publications, NCW calls on Government, media outlets and relevant authorities responsible for media publications including print and audiovisual media

27/11/2009 - Extending maternity leave – a win-win situation

The proposal for a directive on the introduction of measures to extend maternity leave by four weeks is a crucial matter that merits careful consideration because it is at once a health and safety issue and a basic family-friendly matter. NCW is very concerned with the position that the Malta business community has taken against this extension, as it reflects the lack of will to seek adequate solutions.(The Times, Thursday 26.11.09)

02/11/2009 - Measures to address the financial crisis must not have adverse effects on women

The National Council of Women notes that the Pre-Budget 2010 Consultation document while seeking to avoid economic pitfalls, is aiming at sustaining the health and social systems in an attempt to build stability – indeed not an easy task in the current circumstances

29/09/2009 - Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF)

Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) CHOGM 2009 “Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future” Malta’s Consultation Monday 8th June 2009 at the Royal Hall, The Palace Sliema The Consultation in Malta was organized by the National Council of Women Malta with the support of the Commonwealth Foundation.

24/08/2009 - Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future”

CHOGM 2009 Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF) “Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future”

06/07/2009 - EMPOWERING CIVIL SOCIETY TO ENGAGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

The Commonwealth Foundation is a lead player when it comes to democracy and civil society, even if some of its members are not. The achievements of the Commonwealth demonstrates this and its experience in this field is of value to the whole world.

06/07/2009 - Commonwealth People’s Forum has now become an integral part of every CHOGM,

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Attard Pirotta - Presentation The Commonwealth People’s Forum has now become an integral part of every CHOGM, 12 years since its inception it continues to be relevant in voicing the concerns, opinion and aspirations of civil society and this is precisely why governments value dialogue with the Commonwealth Peoples Forum. By its very nature, the Commonwealth Peoples Forum is very well placed to transmit and bring to the fore the issues and concerns of our citizens as they evolve over time. The Commonwealth Peoples Forum is therefore a dynamic medium and effective instrument at the Commonwealth disposal.

06/07/2009 - Tackling the Gender Pay Gap

Earlier this year (March 2009), The European Commission launched an EU-wide campaign to help tackle the gender pay gap. Across the EU economy, women earn on average 17.4% less than men. The simple concept of ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ was at the heart of the campaign being launched in the context of International Women’s Day on 8 March to raise awareness of the pay gap, its causes, and how to tackle it.

29/04/2009 - L-ISPEAKER JINDIRIZZA KONFERENZA DWAR "IN-NISA MALTIN FIL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW"

L-iSpeaker Louis Galea dalgħodu għamel appell lill-elettorat Malti u Għawdxi biex f’din l-elezzjoni għall-Parlament Ewropew jużaw il-vot b’kuxjenza li tħaddan il-valur tal-ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel.

16/03/2009 - EU Launches Campaign to Tackle Gender Pay Gap

The European Commission has today launched an EU-wide campaign to help tackle the gender pay gap. Across the EU economy, women earn on average 17.4% less than men. The simple concept of 'equal pay for work of equal value' is at the heart of the campaign being launched in the context of International Women's Day on 8 March to raise awareness of the pay gap, its causes, and how to tackle it.

04/03/2009 - The Portrayal of Women in Advertising

NCW takes note of the EC Treaty, in particular Articles 2, 3(2) and 152 and of the Community acquis in the field of women's rights and gender equality, of the Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing on 15 September 1995 and its resolution of 18 May 2000 on the follow-up to the Beijing Platform for Action ,

25/07/2008 - Sending a strong message against violence - More action for less violence

Once a year on the 25 November, the silence surrounding domestic violence is broken

News and Views