Equality between men and women or gender equality is a high priority for the EU and a number of EU laws have been adopted to ensure equal opportunities with respect to employment, training, remuneration, promotions, social security, occupational social security schemes as well as self-employment.

Another EU directive covers pregnant women and nursing mothers, granting a minimum period of 14 weeks maternity leave without, however, specifying whether this should be paid or unpaid leave. This law was introduced in Malta in January 2001.