Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday expressed his commitment towards introducing more initiatives to create a better balance for women regarding both family and jobs.

He also said that the investment being made by the government was paying dividends as more women were finding new jobs. Dr Gonzi was speaking during a meeting with the Confederation of Women’s Groups.

He said that in 2004, a new chapter in Maltese history was created when the country joined the European Union. He said that joining the EU has translated into more opportunities for women. Dr Gonzi said the PN was on a mission to turn Malta into a centre of excellence for financial services, education, health and IT.

Dr Gonzi also said that the government was putting Gozo at the top of the agenda. “The projects we are embarking on amount to Lm1 billion, including funds from the European Union and government spending,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that despite the international challenges Malta was facing, the number of Maltese women working was on the increase. This, he said, was due to the government’s efforts to make it easier for women to balance out their careers and responsibilities at home. He also pointed towards statistics which showed that 60 per cent of university graduates were women and that 50 per cent of MCAST students were also female.