The priorities of the Greek Council Presidency include, among others, gender equality. This Presidency stresses the importance of having more female workers in the European Union, mostly that of increasing the number of women in production, and in the field of ICT and digital technology. The importance of reconciling work and family life will also be given priority as well as those issues related to combating violence against women. It is the Greek’s Presidency priority to have more women in decision-making roles.

With 50% of the Maltese population being female, I regard the priorities of the Greek Presidency as equally important. In fact, there has been a 15% increase of women in Parliament with two female ministers. This government has implemented a number of initiatives to motivate women to further their education and to engage in responsible roles while reconciling work and family life. This government believes that work means dignity and women must continue to be supported in furthering their education in order to find better jobs. Therefore, Malta is in line with the European Union’s priorities, particularly the Greek Presidency’s priorities, to address the issue of gender equality and to give priority to women’s rights.

This government will continue to support and improve family friendly measures to help working women balance family and work responsibilities. It is the government’s intention, as proposed in the electoral manifesto, to offer free childcare for children under three as an incentive to women seeking employment and to support working families with young children. It is a fact that the number of single mothers and separated women has grown over the past years and, as a result, so has the number of working mothers with young children. This is why this government is addressing the importance of supporting women through the provision of childcare centres and the implementation of family friendly measures.

As regards education and the need to help women further their studies in order to find suitable jobs, this government has implemented a number of initiatives in local councils and other institutions in order to motivate women to further their studies.

Violence and harassment at work have been also been given priority. The government has given first priority to safety at work by addressing harassment at work through the implementation of relative legislations which safeguard the interests of women at work.

Malta continues to remain in line with the priorities of the European Union, particularly, in this case, the rights of women. Following the European Parliament elections in May 2014, a resolution will be passed in the European Parliament on the draft legislation concerning women’s rights and that of combating violence.

Malta has always viewed women as equal to men and agrees with the European Union’s target to see women occupy high positions and assume decision making roles. In fact, the EU aims to ensure that four out of every 10 non-executive directorships of quoted companies across the EU are filled by a woman by 2020. Although many have criticized this move, countries like Germany have implemented this target in order to improve the career chances of women and for greater equality in the labour market.

Since half of Europe’s population is female, women should be given the chance to voice their opinion. A study on the links between economic growth and productivity in the labour market demonstrates that if women’s productivity level rises to the level of men’s, Europe’s GDP could grow 27%. Women’s participation is of crucial importance to Europe’s economy. Hence Malta will continue to ensure that their rights are respected and that gender equality is enforced.

Mr Farrugia Borg is a Labour Party candidate in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections