The reality of the situation is that most men cannot take parental leave, said John Zammit, president of the Men’s Rights Association (Mensra).

Mr Zammit was speaking at a national seminar organised by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) entitled “Men on Parental Leave”.

The seminar concluded a European project “Modern Men in an enlarged Europe” in which Malta participated together with Lithuania, Denmark and Iceland.

Local data showed that women took the predominant share of parental leave and highlighted the reluctance of men, and possibly even women, to relinquish their traditional gender stereotyped roles.

According to the results, only 1.6 per cent of all men applied for parental leave.

The results of a Euro Barometer survey carried out in 2004 showed that 84 per cent of men interviewed across Europe are not taking parental leave and do not intend to do so.

Mr Zammit pointed out that the reality of the situation for people working in the private sector is that parental leave does not exist for men.

“I gave the Union Press a petition to give parental leave to all employees and it didn’t have any effect.”

Mr Zammit complained that Mensra is not consulted by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) before certain documents are issued.

He said the reports issued by the NCPE were biased in favour of women and that men were left out of the equation.

While he agreed that women should become more involved and go out to work, it is better to employ those who just graduated rather than people aged over 50.

“Unfortunately it seems that women do not know what they want,” he added. “It is as though some prefer staying home.”