Gender equality is not merely about boosting the participation of women in paid employment or increasing men's contribution to housework. Perceptions and attitudes are still conformed to deep-rooted gender labels and dialogues are often characterised by conventional biased language.
Gender equality entails the elimination of ingrained beliefs and attitudes that hinder the personal development or the social inclusion of every woman and man in society. Gender equality is, therefore, equivalent to equality of opportunity.
The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) is persistent in combating gender stereotypes and promoting equality of opportunity. Among other responsibilities, the commission raises awareness and offers training to public and private entities on equality, sexual harassment at the workplace, diversity management, gender mainstreaming and other issues in relation to gender, family responsibilities and racial/ ethnic origin.
Current awareness-raising campaigns and training sessions complement each other and are delivered as part of wider projects, such as 'Living equality'. Throughout this project, co-funded by the Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity, the commission aimed at enhancing gender equality by identifying capacity-building needs for the implementation of gender mainstreaming in the national policy-making programmes.
In line with the EU's policy direction in 'A roadmap for equality between women and men' and the 'European pact for gender equality', this project provided training on gender equality to combat stereotypes in the labour market, promote measures that facilitate a better work-life balance, and gender mainstreaming.
'Living equality' provided training for officials within the public sector and the public service on gender mainstreaming, a process that includes a gender perspective in all stages of policy-making, hence eliminating any discriminatory elements from public policies. By taking account of the needs of both genders in all political, economic and social policies and programmes, public policy becomes gender inclusive and equal treatment is enhanced.
Good practice and other initiatives in relation to gender mainstreaming were highlighted during the focus groups. Such practices are not only beneficial to businesses, but also to employees. In fact, when gender mainstreaming is fostered, gender no longer influences rights and opportunities, and individuals are instead valued according to capabilities.
The NCPE supports such good practices, some of which are published in Implementing gender mainstreaming: national public service and public sector initiatives and good practices document and also in the set of six electronic newsletters which were distributed throughout the project. The concept of gender responsive budgeting has also been researched and a document published. The final conference on 'living equality', which took place last Wednesday, highlighted the fact that gender equality needs to be sensitive to all needs by establishing and fostering an equal opportunity policy at the workplace, and having the opportunity to reconcile work and family life.
The way towards gender equality is not just a question of sharing housework and paid employment. Challenging ingrained stereotyped perceptions and providing equal opportunities is of fundamental importance.
Rights and opportunities should not depend on gender, but on the capabilities of each individual.
For more information, visit www.equality.gov.mt, e-mail equality@gov.mt call 2590 3850 or fax 2590 3851.
Ms Catania is research officer, NCPE.