In her contribution to this newspaper of Friday 7th November entitled "Ministers on bimbos", MP Claudette Buttigieg criticised this government's record in the area of gender equality on the basis of The Global Gender Gap Report.

She failed to point out though that countries which rank higher than Malta and have a good human rights record, have either invested in long-term structures that are reaping positive results, or are emerging from a socio-political context that allowed for high female economic participation.

Undoing twenty-five years of PN government and  of short-term vision in this sector is a mammoth task that this government has pledged to take on.  However good results are obviously not achieved overnight.

But as long as equality is not under her party's watch, Claudette Buttigieg can rest assured that this government will continue striving for  improvement. For instance, less than two years ago, many parents had to choose between studying or working and taking care of their children, because of childcare fees.  Childcare is now offered for free to all working parents and those in eduction or training.  Breakfast clubs are offered in all schools and after-school services have increased, thus allowing more options for working parents.

These initiatives are already producing a postive effect, as is seen from   recent statistics released by the NSO regarding the gainfully occupied population, where the rate of female full-time employement has increased by 5.8%.

Ms Buttigieg makes a reference to chairpersons. Where the minister had the power to choose and appoint, she selected nine women and six men. So that amounts to 60 per cent of the new appointments going to women.   Other boards may be ex ufficio, elected by third parties, or their term has not expired yet.  Here, the minister clearly  had no say. 

Surely, a lot needs to be done, especially when it comes to women's participation in the political field.  But, it is rich for a PN MP to criticise  Malta's placing in a gender gap report  resulting from years  of  inertia  in this area of policy, under a PN government.

Reuben Sciberras

Communications Coordinator

Ministry for Social Dialogue

Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties