Budget 2011 | Family-friendly measures, curbing domestic violence 'are priorities' – women's organisations

In run-up to the unveiling of the 2011 Budget on October 25, the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO) put forward a number of recommendations under two main headings: increasing family friendly measures and curbing domestic violence.

Highlighting that Malta’s economic participation of women in the labour market stood at 104th, the confederacy stressed that “Malta is in the category of countries like Kuwait (107), Guatemala (109), the Republic of Korea (111) and Qatar (116).”

The MCWO recommended the introduction of “an extension of the paid maternity leave period from the current 14 to 20 weeks as approved by the European Parliament without passing the cost on to the employers.”

The MCWO also suggested “an increase in state childcare - ideally attached to existing schools, which is compatible with typical working hours,” alongside “affordable and accessible, before and after- school services through extra curricular activities. These services must be compatible with typical working hours and should be offered in more localities.”

The confederacy also urged government to introduce ”two (2) weeks paid paternal leave period without passing the cost on to the employers in order to give fathers the much needed opportunity to bond with their newborns which would address the present problem of stereotyped roles of mothers and fathers.”

The MCWO conceded that while “in recent years government has given fiscal incentives and provided some services,” it believes “that these measures are neither sufficient nor tackle persistent structural problems in a holistic manner.”

“For example the budget for after- school services last year was nil and until now, there are only 3 government schools which offer this essential service,” the confederacy said. “There are similar problems with childcare services in government schools as these are available only in 9 out of 68 localities.”

The MCWO also recommended that “it would be expedient for the government to at least double the 2010 funds allocated to the Commission on Domestic Violence and increase the number of social workers.”

“It is imperative that women facing violence are able to obtain all the necessary help and support they need in order to make a better life for themselves and their families,” the confederacy stressed.

“The country’s economic prosperity and the advancement of women are inter-related and investment in education would be lost if women are unable to continue working once they become mothers,” the MCWO concluded.