A group of professionals this morning got together at Europa House in Valletta to exchange views on work-life balance and equality, after the European Parliament published a report about the issue.

The panel members agreed that the distinction between men and women today has reduced; however, there are still a number of challenges present, particularly in the perception society holds about the roles of the sexes.

Nickie Vella de Fremeaux, a lawyer and mother of five, explained that juggling work and family life can lead to high stress level and therefore, time management is crucial. She questioned why men are never asked how they balance between the two, noting that perhaps it is because society still expects women to be responsible of child caring. The lawyer noted that stay- at- home mothers are perhaps handling the toughest job, and they should also be acknowledged.

Dr Vella de Fremeaux said that the private sector can contribute by encouraging flexible hours or introducing child care centres in work places where a number of mothers work.

MEP Therese Commodini Cachia explained that during her time working as a lawyer, she stopped working within a law firm to open up her own office, setting up her child's nursery in that same office. She said that during her working time in Brussels she makes time to call her husband and daughter, reading a bed time story to her daughter most nights through Skype. Dr Commodini Cachia argued that when dealing with work-life balance the discussion should not stop short at how women can maintain this, but also how husbands can contribute.

She noted that work-life balance challenges do not only affect women but also men - who also have the need to spend time with their children. The MEP stressed that shifting mentality is crucial and that society needs to empower girls from a young age.

Andrea Cassar, Chief Executive Officer of a leading shipyard business and a TV personality, said that work-life balance is achieved through making the right choices. As CEO, Mrs Cassar makes sure that she enables her women employees to be flexible, so they can manage child-care as well as work.

Ivan Bartolo, CEO of an IT company, said that achievement is the success of sum of cooperation between the husband and wife, adding that some things are not even negotiable, and that he makes sure that he never misses his son's football training. “ During my time at home, I am not constantly using my phone or tablet, but make sure that the focus at that point is my family.”

A point raised during the discussion was that some families have support from the grandparents of the children, but others donot, with a number of grandparents today still in the workforce.

Joseph Bugeja, a representative of the General Workers Union and a father himself, said that not all work environments support child-minding.  The public sector is more likely to support parents, but more incentives are required in the private sector.

Joining the discussion through a video message, MEP Miriam Dalli said that incentives to bring women back into the workforce are crucial. The free childcare service has cost the government €3.2 million, but has brought successful results.  She said that more men need to realise that empowering women will not affect them negatively, but it will rather make up for a better family life.

MEP and Former Prime Minister  Alfred Sant noted that those prone to end up in poverty are being challenged despite of their gender. He said that while the gender gap across Europe has decreased, the income of both men and women has decreased and more people are employed in precarious conditions. The work-life balance for lower classes is even more difficult to achieve, and at times such families are not even aware of their rights.

MEP Roberta Metsola noted that statistics show that children of parents with lack of education are not likely to reach tertiary education, and are therefore stuck in the cycle of poverty. For these families, the work-life balance discussion does not even crop up. She noted that in most jobs, tele-working or flexible hours are not an option.

Claudine Cassar, managing director of a communications company said that the issue is not a war of the sexes, noting those interested in entering politics need to settle with the fact that parliamentary sessions are held in the evenings, and this may prevent individuals from thinking twice before getting involved in the field.