Finally, after so many years that men have had an advantage over women thanks to the ‘old boys’ network’ the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) is setting up a network for professional women.
The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality is currently setting up a directory of female Maltese professionals, which should be a vital tool in the promotion of gender equality.
Sina Bugeja, executive director of the NCPE said the directory will be the main reference that will provide the names of professional women in order to address the existing gender imbalance in the private and public sector.
Women who are qualified or have experience in particular sectors and who are interested in subscribing to the directory need to get an e-ID from local councils in order to fill in the form on-line and update the information. The directory will be completed in the near future and should be up and running by the end of this year, Ms Bugeja explained. More information on e-ID is available on helpline 159.
The reason for compiling this directory is that unlike men, women who stopped working to start a family became isolated. “Women were isolated and never had a network set up to help them return to the world of work when they wanted to started working again,” she said.
Many women who stopped working for family reasons, usually find it difficult to return to the world of work, as very few opportunities present themselves. However, Ms Bugeja believes the directory would address an imbalance in the system.
For example, when an entity or committee has to reappoint members, the NCPE can submit a number of names of professional women who are qualified to fill the post. “Or else, they can simply take a look at this directory and see who has the necessary qualifications for the post and contact her.”
The directory is based on the previous Directory of Maltese Women compiled by the former Department for Women in Society. However, most of the information needs to be rehashed and it is in the women’s interest to keep their information updated on the website. “The women will choose what personal information is listed in the directory – in this way they will have full control and be covered by the Data Protection Act.”
She explained that the directory will address the imbalance of female representation – women are conspicuously missing in high-ranking management and decision-making positions. “There is a very small number of women in powerful positions leaving the rest of the female workforce highly underrepresented.”
She explained that Malta has a serious problem where female employment is concerned. Only 33 per cent of women are employed, and there are over 120,000 inactive women – meaning they are not working or actively seeking employment.
It is usually the woman who combines responsibilities – there is still the mentality that it is the woman who must juggle and find the correct balance between family and work. If they are given the right conditions they will start working.
She explained that while this mentality is changing among the younger generation, it is still prevalent among the older generation. “Today men are accepting that women should work and that the family is not only her responsibility, but among people of the older generation it is still widespread.”
“It does not mean that all the women who are inactive are seeking employment, but there are many who wish to work if they are provided with the right conditions,” she said.
This will try to overcome the problem of informal networking among women, she explained. Men network naturally between them and cover each other’s backs. With women it is different – “perhaps women prefer not to network if they don’t feel secure in their jobs, otherwise it does not make sense”.
The NCPE is the lead partner in a project that falls under the European Structural Funds. It is called “Gender Mainstreaming – The Way Forward” and was launched last May.
Part of the project includes a scientific study on family friendly measures in the private sector. There will also be a study on a group of graduates, following them after they graduate to see the different paths taken by both men and women.
Another two issues that will be tackled is the gender pay gap in Malta and teleworking. Ms Bugeja explained that four individuals working in the public sector will be followed for a year. “In this way, we will see what the process of teleworking entails and in which sector it is most productive.” Teleworking can be applied to certain jobs, especially in the public service sector and this study will help policy makers include it where it can be used.
All the information and research will be passed on to policy makers who will then be able to take an informed decision based on scientific evidence.
The last two components of the project involve a national information campaign about the NCPE and its responsibilities. Before and after the campaign takes place, telephone surveys will be held to evaluate if the media campaign had increased public awareness.