Aging female population

A study conducted by the University of Malta Gozo Centre and the Ministry for Gozo confirms that Gozo's female population is aging. The aim of the study was to investigate the social needs of elderly women in Gozo. More than 1,500 women were questioned.

The study revealed that women over 60 account for nearly a quarter of Gozo's female population. Elderly women make up more than 22 per cent of the Gozitan population, compared to only 17 per cent of that in Malta. The study also revealed that 60 per cent of these women in Gozo live alone, 30 per cent were widows and 30 per cent had never married.

The vast majority of Gozitan women, 85 per cent, said they owned property, while only five per cent admitted they had financial problems. The research shows that most elderly women in Gozo are happy and have practically no social problems. They take part in social activities and are almost always involved with the rest of the community in some way or another. A quarter of those questioned said they had an excellent relationship with their neighbours on whom they depend for essential services. This is a very positive picture of the situation in Gozo.

Such a study can serve to identify the present and future needs of elderly women in Gozitan society. Some of the findings are surprising since so far it was believed that older Gozitans no longer contribute anything to society. Yet most of them are still active and help the family.

The Family Welfare section of the Gozo Ministry should analyse the findings of this study and make proposals for a future plan for home services in Gozo. The current system of elderly care is not meeting present needs and in future will be difficult to maintain unless certain changes are made.

The opening of a day care centre, the introduction of meals on wheels, the home help service, and the opening of the University of the Third Age had brought benefits to Gozo's senior citizens. But are these services being received by all elderly citizens? Some of them are prevented by their own family to benefit from them, others are not aware of the service provided and one would like to see more women participating in the University of the Third Age, for example.

Around 25 per cent of women over 60 are literate while the majority said they had worked throughout their lives. This may be misleading as it gives the impression that the majority of Gozitan women are not stay-at-home mothers but fully emancipated women who have a regular job. Of course this will be something which may occur in the future but at present, the situation is not like this. Another study should be carried out to see what is the percentage of working mothers in Gozo and what type of work these working mothers perform.

In Gozo, most married women are stay-at-home mothers who give a full day's work to their own family. Because of 'modern' family values should we try to get women out of the home or should we value their work more? There should of course be equal opportunities for men and women and if a woman is trained or qualified in a particular field she should leave the opportunity to give her share to society, but not at the expense of her family. Certain incentives like flexi-time and reduced hours should be encouraged and made available to all.

The problem in Gozo, at present, is lack of work opportunities in general and especially for women. Gozitan women are being obliged to stay at home not because they want to but because they are not finding work. More job opportunities should be created.

There is a potential female workers are being left idle due to lack of work opportunities in Gozo. Married women with children cannot afford to cross over to Malta to work when they also have a family to look after as well.

On Mother's Day we cannot only glorify our mothers and thank them for being good mothers. We must also thank and glorify those mothers who also contribute to society with their work in and outside the home.

Full gender equality at home is reached when both partners take an active role in the running of the family.