Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stressed today that it should not be families which changed according to the needs of society but it should be society which changed according to the needs of families.

Speaking at a PN activity, Dr Gonzi said Mother's Day was especially important this year ahead of the referendum on May 28.

All the people, irrespective of their political beliefs, should reflect on the importance of continuing to work as a society to create the systems and services needed to ensure that parents found all the help they needed to ensure that their children succeeded in life.

The country needed to ask itself, what was it bequeathing to the upcoming generation?

This was not about money or property, but about being content and rich in positive experiences, Dr Gonzi said.

Stability and a pleasant environment for children to grow up in were essential, and this was an area which the government was addressing.

He wanted to promise, Dr Gonzi, that he would do his very best to ensure that the country gave the children the best environment and tools to succeed There could be no better gift than this on Mothers' Day to all parents.

Mothers and fathers should be given everything to continue to grow together and that their children, whatever their circumstances, should always feel welcomed.

Families should not be expected to change because society so demanded. Rather, it was society which should change according to the needs of the family, Dr Gonzi stressed.

Earlier in the activity,  Dr Gonzi said a central feature in the government's pro-family policies was job creation, and Malta was faring among the best EU countries in this area.

Women who wished to work were being encouraged, and given incentives, to work. More women were opting for careers, as evidenced by the fact that 60% of University students were now women, Dr Gonzi said.

He underlined other measures being taken by the government to help women, including family breaks and tax incentives.