The National Council of Women is an independent, non-governmental organisation and, with its 33 affiliated groups, carries out research, delivers educational programmes and prepares policy documents on gender in the labour market, political and economic decision-making, gender-based violence, mental health and education.
These areas need to be addressed as cross-cutting issues embedded in the socio-economic context of the Maltese culture and current and future developments.
NCW believes in active labour market policies in particular for young, single and teenage mothers to provide them with opportunities to find work and keep it over the long term. The NCW Centre in Blata l-Bajda is a beehive of activities for women returners, who need training for employability skills.
Members of the NCW’s sub-committees work on policy and good practice in health, education and youth, social issues, the environment, financial and economic affairs.
Their expert work is useful for government ministries, employers and trade unions when discussing national issues such as pensions reform, the national curriclum and the annual national budget.
The council has also been working on EU female entrepreneurship projects, addressing undeclared work, social inclusion, poverty, immigrants and EU projects on eradicating gender-based violence, in particular domestic violence.
NCW is studying the Council of Europe Convention on violence against women
to ensure national legislation is in harmony with it, as well as the development of
social enterprise in Malta, the role of women in climate change and alternative energy practices.
The council has its own music committee, creating opportunities for talented youth, the highlight being the Bice Mizzi Vassallo Competition, which awards students short courses in prominent European schools.
Over the years, NCW has widened its networks at national, EU and global level
and is represented on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development civil society committee, the Council for the Voluntary Sector and on Meusac
sectoral committees. It has enjoyed consultative status with the United Nations and is associate member of the European Women’s Lobby.
Call NCW on 2124 8881, 2124 6982; e-mail ncwmalta@camline.net.mt; or visit www.ncwmalta.com.