Ninety per cent of those afflicted with lupus, the as yet incurable chronic illness of the immune system, are women, 80 per cent are between the ages of 15 and 35 and about 180 are estimated to be suffering from the disease in Malta.

On the occasion of World Lupus Day, which was celebrated last week, Pink magazine’s health section sheds light on the many faces of the illness – no two lupus patients present with similar symptoms and three women from various walks of life talk about how it has affected them individually.

Lupus is neither infectious, nor contagious, but patients prefer to hide it. Moreover, early diagnosis can make a major difference, which is why Pink tackles the subject and raises awareness in the May issue, out with The Times tomorrow.

Mother’s Day, also celebrated this month, could not go by unnoticed in the women’s magazine. But Pink has opted to pay tribute to the truly great grandmothers, who have dedicated themselves to taking care of their children’s children so that they can continue with their lives.

The pros and cons of resorting to full-time nannies are also tackled in a story that focuses on those mothers who have no one to turn to in order to assist them in child care.

But it is not only mothers and children who feature in Pink. Women have other roles too and the magazine gets the rules of the game from Malta’s top-class female referee as regards fielding the insults of the male fans at the stadium – but worse still, those of her own sex too. The article fires questions on whether football is as sexist sport and Esther Azzopardi calls the shots.

As always, fashion too plays a central role, with a sizzling bikini shoot and pages on accessories and trends, while beauty also makes it on to the cover with a sample of the new Scholl Hard Skin Softening cream for readers to try and test.