Twenty per cent of local councillors are female but only nine per cent of mayors are women, according to the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day yesterday, the commission stressed on having equal treatment between the sexes in leadership positions to ensure equality of opportunities for both.

It said although women were under-represented in Parliament with 8.7 per cent, the number of female candidates who ran for European Parliament elections increased. The electoral system in itself did not favour any one person, or gender, but more women candidates usually meant more women elected, it added.

According to a study, Women In European Politics – Time For Action, published in 2009 by the European Commission, an election with 50 per cent women candidates would result in 39 per cent female MPs.

This meant 63 per cent female candidates must contest before equality was achieved, it calculated.

“Considering these statistics, empowering women and giving them opportunities to enter this public sphere should be a relentless commitment for Malta,” the NCPE said.

Women should not be discouraged from competing directly with men or consider childcare and housekeeping to be their exclusive domain, the NCPE said, calling for more family-friendly measures and the fostering of adequate support structures.