We need not spend many words arguing the importance of gender equality, especially in the context of the values of a modern forward-looking European society predicated on tolerance of opposing views within a basic framework of equality of rights for all citizens. Indeed, equality between women and men is one of the basic principles upon which the European Union is founded and a fundamental right in itself.
The European Parliament is typically a strong advocate of the promotion of gender equality such that both women and men become able to combine their professional and personal life, based on the approach of solidarity. This would mean that family, social and work-related responsibilities are shared more evenly. The active and full participation of women in the labour market is not only beneficial to the economy, but to society as a whole. An evenly balanced presence of men and women in both economic and political decision-making would lead to an improved democratic representation of citizens.
To this end, the European Parliament has on several occasions called on the Member States of the EU to implement measures ensuring affordable, high-quality facilities for the care of children or other dependent persons, including the elderly, the sick and the disabled. It has also called for the setting up of training and legal advice services in order to facilitate the undertaking of entrepreneurial activities by women, whilst doubling efforts taken towards the closing the persistent gender pay-gap.
Ahead of the European elections of May, the European Parliament has often highlighted the need for greater parity within European Institutions, including for the appointment of the next Commission. Equally importantly, on 5 March the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality held an interparliamentary meeting in Brussels to discuss the challenges associated with preventing violence against women. MEPs had the opportunity to meet their national counterparts to share experiences about the implementation of relevant legislation at the national level and look ahead at possible measures that could be proposed at the European level.
These developments bring forth a number of reflections at the national level. Our country made important strides in gender equality over the past decades, but much more remains to be done. The employment rate, for example, is 41% for women and over 73% for men. According to the National Statistics Office, on average, an employed woman works around 32 hours per week, 7 hours less than their male counterparts. The unemployment rate for women also tends to be higher than that for men, especially in the 15-24 age bracket, highlighting the special difficulties faced by girls who do not manage to advance in their schooling.
It is however heartening to note that 54 per cent of students who are graduating from post-secondary institutions are women. This bodes well for the future, but calls for even more determined action to ensure that the increasingly high-qualified women in our society occupy roles where they are empowered and enabled to give their contribution.
The measures being taken by the PL after merely its first year in Government are crucial in this regard. Most notably, the drive to enhance access to childcare is expected to bring about a revolution in the access to work, social, political and cultural life, especially for women.
We cannot fail to notice the appointment of a woman as the next President of the Republic of Malta as another step in the right direction. The appointment in itself is definitely not a gender issue. Hon Coleiro Preca has earned the respect and trust of all Maltese as a committed, no-nonsense political figure of the highest integrity, with a deep commitment to the social values of solidarity and family inspired by our heritage. On these merits alone, I see Hon Coleiro Preca as most qualified and most deserving to serve our nation in the role of President of the Republic.
We also however have to appreciate that the Prime Minister’s wise decision in this regard must have been motivated, in good part, by the need to show that a woman is not only capable of embodying the qualities which Hon Coleiro Preca has brought to politics, but also to occupy the highest ranks of the State in a manner which makes a genuine difference to people’s lives. We wish our next President well. May she continue her sterling work and inspire even more women to bring their talents to a fruitful social life. And may the next European elections serve as a means to strengthen gender equality in Malta and across the EU.
Peter Cordina is an MEP candidate for the 2014 MEP elections on the PL ticket