Maltese women are becoming more and more involved in science and research - an area predominantly dominated by males until a few years ago.
According to a study issued by the European Commission, the share of Maltese women working in research registered the biggest growth in the EU between 2002 and 2006, with a boost of 14 per cent.
The average growth in the EU during the same years stood at 6.3 per cent less than half Malta's average growth.
At the same time, the survey shows that the number of female researchers is still low when compared to all the participants in the field.
By 2006, Malta had 26 per cent of all those working in research-related jobs, such as in the higher education sector, engineering, industry and other scientific related professions, while there is only one female professor at the University, out of a total of 43.
However, the average of female researchers in the EU is not so much higher than Malta and stood at 30 per cent in 2006.
According to the survey, Malta in 2006 had 273 females working in research-related jobs and 772 men.
During the same year, four Maltese acquired PhDs in science subjects and one of them was a woman.
On a general EU level, the survey shows that women still represent only 30 per cent of European researchers and only 18 per cent of full professors.
The Commission said that even if the number of female researchers is growing faster than that of men (+6.3 per cent annually compared to +3.7 per cent from 2002 to 2006) - and despite an increase in the proportion of female PhDs of +6.8 per cent over the same period, the under-representation of women in scientific disciplines and careers remains a serious challenge in Europe.
Science and research commissioner Janez Potocnik said that while some trends are positive, the fact that women remain under-represented in scientific careers should be a worry for the entire EU.
"This gender imbalance in science is a waste of opportunity and talent which Europe cannot afford.
"There will be no quick fix; we have to address all structural obstacles along the entire career path of women scientists."
He said that the European Commission will continue to support actions to reinforce the status and participation of women in science as this is not just in the interest of European science, but also in the interest of society and the economy.