Women’s confederation concerned at lack of progress on gender equality

Malta has again ranked 83^rd place in the Global Gender Gap Index for 2011, sparking concern from the Malta Confederation of Women's Organisations at the lack of progress to reach government's objective for de facto equality in Maltese society, in line with United Nations and European Union commitments.

The ranking is the same as 2010, however last year there were 134 countries listed.

This year there were 135 countries covered, showing Malta's position has actually fallen in its ranking. The countries ranked below Malta include Armenia, Hungary, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Tajikistan and Turkey.

Malta has been falling in its ranking since 2006 when it stood at the 71^st place.   The worst year ever between 2006 and 2011 was 2009 when the ranking fell to 88^th place.

The worst showing, as in previous years, was under the Economic Participation and Opportunity section where Malta was ranked 110^th falling six places from the 104^th in 2010.

"In spite of the number of incentives introduced to attract women to the labour market and the slow increase in women's participation rate, Malta is still falling back in this sector when compared to other countries on a global basis," MCWO chairperon Renee Laiviera said.

"This means that, as MCWO has highlighted on several occasions, Malta is not benefitting fully from the considerable investment being made in education to the detriment of our economy."

Laiviera said the government was aware that the incentives in place have not been effective enough and need revisiting so that they may be more focused on parents' needs, particularly those of single parents.

"A step in the right direction was government's commitment to extend maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks over a two-year period. Government is, for the first time, taking on the financing of this incentive," she said.

Malta kept its place at 72 in the health and survival raknin, but lost one place under the political empowerment index, falling from 51 to 52.

"In the political sphere, women are visible by their low numbers. This is also very true in decision-making levels where women make up only 3% of   appointments to board rooms," Laiviera said.

Laiviera said that a UN report in October 2010 asked the Maltese government to make use of temporary special measures, under various forms, in those areas where women are under-represented or in a disadvantageous position and to allocate more resources, where necessary, to accelerate the process of the advancement of women.

"The MCWO whilst noting recent developments, particularly the extension of  maternity leave, looks forward to other government initiatives that will help to raise Malta's rating to a respectable placing in the Global Gender Gap Index."