New MCWO chairperson elected

The Malta Confederation of Women's Organisations (MCWO) elected a new chairperson last Thursday.

Lorraine Spiteri was unanimously elected as MCWO chairperson following the vacation of the position by former chairperson Renee Laiviera, who was recently made commissioner of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE).

Spiteri has been an activist in the women's movement in Malta since 1978. Her main academic background and research interests lie in issues related to women and gender issues, with special focus on the labour market and the media.

"While thanking Ms Laiviera for her dynamism and dedication in improving and enhancing the role of women in society through her invaluable contribution to the cause of gender equality, the rights of women and the elimination of violence against women, Ms Spiteri pledges to continue with the same zeal and commitment and to further foster and promote the concerns of the Confederation with the support of all the dedicated members of the MCWO Executive Council," said an MCWO statement.

Other members of the executive council are: secretary Lilian Fiedler; second representative at EWL board meetings, Anna Borg; communications officer and third representative at EWL board meetings, Kate Bonello Sullivan; treasurer Mariella Azzopardi; and the MCWO's expert on violence against women on the European Women's Lobby's Observatory, Marceline Naudi.

The MCWO is an umbrella organisation that represents 15 local member organisations which collectively have 24,000 female members. The MCWO is a full member of the Brussels based European Women's Lobby.