Call for law to put more women on top

On the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday, the National Council of Women has called for new legislation that would require both the public and private sectors to increase the number of women directors and chief executive officers.

This should also be extended to women researchers and full professorship at the University of Malta, the council said.

The government was also called on to give priority to women in political, social and economic decision-making.

With the next European parliament elections a few months away, NCW deplored the lack of commitment by political parties to put women candidates on their electoral lists.

"The challenges we face require people with imagination, foresight and courage to act. Our country is all the richer if women contribute together with men in making full use of these qualities in the process of creating a balance between social and economic development," the council said in a message.

"Current research has shown that we have to move away from the dominant idea of command and control towards negotiated outcomes and have the courage to contest the status quo to achieve better outcomes. A shift in how leadership is defined and recognised means that women can challenge stereotyped gender identities within their organisations."

It said there was an urgent need to tackle the lack of affordable childcare and sexual discrimination and harassment at the workplace, both of which were a hindrance to women's career development.

NCW is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary.