President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca insists that the celebration of International Women's Day is relevant today more than ever. In her message on this occasion celebrated every 8 March, the President warned that the relevance and the importance of what will be said about women on this day, should not be limited to one day each year.

"What we reflect upon today should be echoed in our work in favour of more equality between men and women all year round," she said.

She said that despite progress in gender equality in Malta and the women's role in society in general has grown, there are more challenges one must face. "Our achievements as a country should be a proof which shows how us, as a nation, when we work together, can achieve great things."

"I believe that the International Day for Women is still relevant today so that we can reflect on recent statistics such as those published by the European Institute for Gender Equality. While the average percentage of women's political involvement in Europe is of around 50%, in Malta, this figure does not exceed the 29%".

"World women's day should be an invitation to us all to reflect on how there is still a long way to go when it comes to speak about equality between men and women."

She called on the public to unite, with a sense of solidarity with those women who undergoing abuse. Dr Coleiro Preca also appealed to the courts to send a clearer and louder message against any form of violence on women.