The Annual General Meeting of the National Council of Women, held on Saturday, 25 January at The Victoria Hotel, Sliema was indeed a hub of activity. President Mary Gaerty spoke about the work which the Council has been carrying out during 2019. This included pensions reform, education, violence against women, work and entrepreneurship, work-life balance, the challenges faced by women on a daily basis and the varied NCW training courses carried out for all women of all ages from a wide range of nationalities

She also highlighted the fact that the National Council of Women is looking ahead at the constant changes at national, EU level and globally, not least in the digital transformation and this is reflected in the 2020 resolutions. Women are under-represented in ICT jobs, top management and academic careers and men are four times more likely than women to be ICT specialists. Gaerty stressed that gender equality is not simply an issue of justice. Gender equality can contribute to economic growth and sustainable development and thus to the wellbeing of all European citizens.

Gaerty urged young women to venture further and choose careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem). Employment in these areas offer highly paid jobs, opportunities for promotions and managerial positions. This is crucial for the employment of women in future sectors and which will lead to realistic gender equality. Finally, Gaerty encouraged women to make their choices and decisions based on reliable and researched information.

"The progress on gender equality requires joint efforts by politicians, companies, unions, individuals and families. Actions have to follow on commitments, also with a view to addressing the increasing risk of new gender gaps," she concluded.

This was followed by the Annual Report presented by NCW honorary general secretary Doris Bingley highlighting the important initiatives carried out at local, national, EU, international level, UN and Commonwealth reflecting the contribution of NCW in the global equality scenario.

Guest speaker Malcolm Galea gave a presentation about his experience in starring and producing Wahda Minna, a local production exposing the real situation of women caught up in life-long exploitative circumstances and the impact of prostitution, poverty and drug abuse. Galea said that they used theatre in a responsible manner to give the vulnerable a voice to tell their story and to mirror reality.

In a highly interactive debate with members of the Assembly, the meeting discussed and approved a number of resolutions, which will form the basis of NCW's commitments for 2020 which included the Digital gender gap, The Benefits of gender equality for the economy, Gender equality in the classroom, Addressing violence and harassment at the workplace, Young people and access to information and support services and Addressing violence and harassment at the workplace.

The NCW Executive Committee for 2020 includes president Mary Gaerty, hon. general secretary Doris Bingley, vice presidents: Grace Attard, Diane Xuereb, Lara Gail Dougall, hon. treasurer Therese Cassola, Members: Doreen Borg Zammit, Jacqueline Giordmania, Sarah Xerri, Mary Buttigieg Said Gertrude Abela, Josette Barbara Cardona, Doris Caruana, Rebecca Wellman Nadyanne Mangion, Dr Claudine Zarb, NCW legal advisor and Marie Demicoli, office secretary.