Malta has made progress towards the attainment of gender equality, the executive director of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, Sina Bugeja, believes.

Ms Bugeja told The Times that there was "definitely" an improvement in Malta, although it may not yet be happening at the desired pace.

"It is definitely on the national agenda and even local organisations feel that an improvement is taking place," she said.

Ms Bugeja said a number of organisations were contacting the commission to ask for information as to how to go about promoting equality.

The commission yesterday launched the results of research study on good practices for the promotion of gender equality, which was done in collaboration with Croatia, Greece, Italy and Portugal.

The study found similar gender-related problems in all five countries, although their extent differs. The problems include low female participation rates in employment, higher and decision-making positions and in politics.

However, recent years have seen a clear and steady move in favour of achieving greater gender mainstreaming with all five countries having taken action to promote equality.

The study looked at good practices in the countries, including two in Malta - the Żejtun and San Lawrenz local councils.

The study was carried out as part of the project Taking Gender Equality to Local Communities, which is partly funded by the European Community Framework Programme.