International Women’s Day started being celebrated almost 40 years ago to recognise women’s contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security. But for Renee Laiviera and for women all over the world, this day means much more.

It was back in 1975 that the United Nations began to celebrate March 8 as International Women’s Day. This was for two reasons.

Today is a day when women unite, network and mobilise for significant change

Firstly, the UN General Assembly wanted to acknowledge the fact that, in order to secure peace and social progress, as well as the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the active participation, equality and development of women was essential.

Secondly, it was also to recognise women’s contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security.

For women all over the world, this day means much more. It’s a chance to look back and appraise what has been achieved in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also a day when women unite, network and mobilise for significant change.

Never, as far as I can remember, has International Women’s Day come at a time when women’s issues are so much on the national agenda.

This year, women in Malta are more focused on their work for significant change. This change can be seen in today’s public discourse on women’s role in society, particularly in the labour market.

This is a breath of fresh air for local activists and NGOs working in the field of gender equality.

For long years, we have been advocating the measures that are being tabled. The major drive is to increase the number of women of working age in employment. This is being done for various reasons.

Women’s contribution to the economy will, in itself, bring about job creation; they will support, through their contribution in taxes, social benefits, including pensions; if Malta follows the trend of countries with strong family support systems, it will lead to a possible increase in the birth rate, which is presently quite low at 1.4 – always assuming that what is being proposed will eventually become reality.

Politicians are finally committing themselves to take strong and effective action to support parents to find a work-life balance by providing free or subsidised childcare and after-school programmes for children aged three and upwards.

Moreover, flexibility at the workplace, particularly in the private sector, including teleworking, job sharing and reduced hours, is also being advocated.

In addition, leave to care for sick children and dependants is on the cards, as well as an increase in maternity leave from 18 to 20 weeks and the introduction of two weeks of paternity leave.

These steps will further consolidate and enhance the increase of women in the labour market.

Women and decision-making is a thorny issue that is being addressed differently.
Some months ago, this matter was on the European and national agenda particularly in the context of European Commissioner vice-president Viviane Reding’s proposal to introduce a 40 per cent quota in the boardrooms of public corporations listed on the stock exchange.

Locally, we are still far from taking this position and proposals cover different views whereby emphasis is mainly being put either on encouraging appointing more women on boards in the public sector, or on making use of affirmative action. Obviously, the latter should prove more effective in the short term.

An area that requires stronger action is violence against women. Women cannot enjoy their fundamental human rights if they cannot live in peace in their own homes, at work, or in the streets.

Proposals include strengthening legislation, structures and resources to offer better prevention and protection services to women and children in the context of the need to ratify, and include in national law, the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

A bonanza, indeed, if these measures are actually introduced and effectively implemented! This would mean regular evaluation and monitoring to ensure best results.

Renee Laiviera is the chairwoman of the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations and an executive member of the European Women’s Lobby.