The Institute for Gender Studies, Malta, supports the initiatives of the European Women's Lobby to advance equality between women and men through better provision of care services in the European Union and is reproducing the EWL petition (which it is inviting readers to cut out and send back to EWL, as indicated):

Women have careers, jobs, professional responsibilities, and at the same time women continue to be in large part responsible for their children, housework and care of dependants (whose numbers are increasing as the population ages).

One way out of this "double life burden" for women lies firstly in changes in the gender division of work, leading to an equal sharing of caring tasks between women and men. Social and employment policies and the provision of services also have a very important part to play.

This inequality in the division of task in the private sphere has a direct impact on the way in which women and men can integrate in the labour market and get involved in social life. Care policies and the provision of care services are therefore intrinsically related to the achievement of equality between women and man.

The European Women's Lobby therefore urges decision-makers at all levels to take immediate action for:

• The achievement of the childcare targets adopted during the Barcelona Council (to provide childcare by 2010 to at least 90 per cent of children between three years old and the mandatory school age and at least 33 per cent of children under three years of age);

• Universal and affordable provision of care services for older. disabled and other dependants, including setting European targets to achieve this goal;

• Strengthening of EU legislation on the reconciliation of work and private life for women and men including maternity, paternity and parental leave.

Take action now and sign the EWL petition!

The petition is available for signing until International Women's Day (March 8, 2007). We will then forward the signatures of the petition to European Commission President Barroso and to all of the EU heads of state and government for the European Spring Council, 2007.