Minister for Equality Helena Dalli has launched the Gender-based violence and Domestic violence strategy and action plan, which is the first national framework to ensure that legislation, policies and services address victims' needs holistically and as a societal concern.
The action plan will follow four key areas, legal measures and integrated policies; data collection, research and training; raising awareness; and protection and support for victims.
This will also be accompanied by monitoring and evaluation.
Speaking at a press conference held at Parliament today, Dalli said that the strategy basis itself on the four pillars established within the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on the prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence , to which Malta is a signatory, which are prevention, protection, prosecution and integrated policy.
The strategy, which is based on report off an inter-ministerial committee, is targeted to change attitudes within society, "in particular men and boys", and act as a renewed call for greater equality regardless of gender or sexual identity.
Dalli explained that financial, emotional, and physical dependency are vital tools in empowering victims of abuse to leave the relationship.
She also stressed the importance of inter-ministerial co-operation in delivering results through the action plan.
The strategy forms part of the 16-day campaign against domestic and gender-based violence coordinated by the Commissioner on Domestic Violence and a number of public and voluntary organisations, that was announced last Tuesday.
The campaign, which will take place between 24 November and 10 December, forms part of a wider international movement designed to raise awareness about domestic violence and violence towards women.
A multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary cooperative effort entitled 'Full Cooperation: Zero Violence' will be implemented by the end of next year, and will lead to an upgrade in the quality of services and the introduction of national minimum standards
Following this, a second project, 'Breaking the cycle of violence' (period of implementation: 2018-2020), will be initiated and aims to identify the behaviours and attitudes towards violence against three minority targets, migrant women, LBTIQ women, and women with disabilities).
All this work, the minister said, will be complemented by the Gender-based Violence and Domestic Violence Bill, which is currently in its second-reading in parliament.
The bill, beyond increasing punishment, also seeks to strengthen existing definitions, create new state obligations, and widen the remit of the Commission on Domestic Violence.
The strategy forms part of the 16-day campaign against domestic and gender-based violence coordinated by the Commissioner on Domestic Violence and a number of public and voluntary organisations, that was announced last Tuesday.
The campaign, which will take place between 24 November and 10 December, forms part of a wider international movement designed to raise awareness about domestic violence and violence towards women.
Government needs to continue offering support, so that people being abused have the courage to speak out
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that government needs to continue offering support so that people being abused or harassment, would have the courage to speak out.
He was speaking during an activity held later in the day called ‘Outside with no Fear’, organised by the Foundation for Social Services to raise awareness on domestic violence.
He said that government needs to provide the best conditions for workers who work with people going through some form of abuse, calling them the “unsung heroes” of society.
He encouraged everyone who is going through some form of abuse at work to speak up.