Violence against women was still a nationally important issue, human rights NGO Aditus said yesterday.
In a statement to mark International Women’s Day today, Aditus expressed concern about the stereotyping of women solely as mothers, wives and caregivers.
It expressed full support for the 2010 United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination’s recommendation that Malta reclassifies rape and violent assault as crimes against the person, instead of their present grouping under crimes against the peace and honour of families and against morals.
Transgender women and girls need legal recognition and migrant and refugee women required access to services supporting their integration and, where necessary, physical and psychological rehabilitation.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder to not only secure all rights for women but to secure them for all women,” Aditus said.