Addressing the 12th Annual Conference of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli remarked how a number of important developments concerning equality that took place over the past year highlighted government’s commitment to an agenda that mainstreams equality and human rights in all spheres of life.
Minister Dalli highlighted the work in hand to widen the remit of NCPE for it to develop into a Human Rights and Equality Commission and the landmark initiatives taken by government to recognise LGBTIQ rights in Malta. More importantly, the actions undertaken to further safeguard equal treatment and equal opportunities for all citizens, and challenge deep-rooted discriminatory beliefs against minority groups.
Referring to the female participation in the labour market, Dr Dalli said that various measures that were taken in the past three years including free childcare to all parents in work or in education and the special fund for maternity leave resulted in a higher employment rate for women. In fact, between October and December 2015, the female employment rate reached 50.7%, an increase of 2.9% over the same period in 2014.
Tackling the issue of gender-based violence, Minister Helena Dalli emphasised that a zero-tolerance approach continues to be a priority to government committed to the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention in order to effectively protect women against all forms of violence. Dr Dalli explained how this issue is also being identified as one of the two main areas of equality initiatives that will be highlighted during the Maltese EU Presidency in 2017.
The Equality Mark Certification was presented by Minister Helena Dalli to seven newly certified organisations and to another nine organisations that were re-certified by NCPE. These organisations and entities truly foster equal treatment in their work policies and practices.
In an overview of NCPE’s work undertaken in 2015, NCPE’s Commissioner Renee Laiviera explained how the Equality Mark Certification entered its sixth year and continued to empower companies to safeguard gender equality. By the end of 2015, there were 61 certified companies and government departments/entities in total, with over 16,000 employees working in equality certified conditions.
The investigation of cases of alleged discrimination in employment and in the access to or the supply of goods or services is an essential element of NCPE’s work. Ms Laiviera emphasised that for justice to be effective, NCPE strives to hear such cases in the least time possible.