Women’s organisations explain what International Women’s Day means to them and what targets are yet to be achieved

Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs – executive coordinator Maryrose Francica
For me, International Women’s Day means a celebration of women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. Although a lot of progress has been made to protect and promote women’s rights in recent times, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men. The majority of the world’s 1.3 billion absolute poor are women. On average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work. Women also continue to be victims of violence, with rape and domestic violence. The road is still long and winding.

Malta Association of Women in Business –  president Doris Sammut Bonnici
International Women’s Day reminds us that not all women are doing fine. Some are still suffering due to ignorance, cultural structures, religion, political unsettlement and isolation. While we still find discrimination between the sexes, we should be glad with what we have achieved, which, after all, is nothing but our God-given right. Why should there be a Women’s Day, one might ask? If there is need for change in legislation regarding unfair treatment or gender-related imbalance, then yes, there is still the need of this awareness day. The greatest achievement to date for women is definitely the vote; it meant their recognition as people and citizens, capable of expressing their opinion, taking a decision and participating in their country’s economy for their own advancement and fellow citizens’ benefit. Still, we look forward to improved support structures for today’s world, where both parents work.

Women’s Study Group –  member Lorraine Spiteri
It’s a special day to celebrate why it feels good to be a woman; to be thankful for all my feminist friends; remember what we have in common, but also celebrate our diversity. It is a day when we remember that being a woman is still bad news in many countries. The most important achievements to date are basic human rights, which now are taken for granted: the right to vote, to education, to retain a job after marriage, maternity leave, property rights... unfortunately these are still unattainable in some countries. Young women believe they have unlimited opportunities ahead like their male counterparts... until they become mothers and face the stark reality that society still has different expectations for them. We need more childcare facilities, paternity leave, the closing of the wage gap, tough laws against violence against women, gender balance in decision-making through quotas, empowering girls at school towards science, maths, engineering...

Commission on Domestic Violence – chairperson Joanna Xuereb
International Women’s Day is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness on the ongoing need for action-oriented prevention strategies and zero tolerance of violence against women, domestic violence and vulnerable groups.

National Council of Women – vice-president Grace Attard
It is a reminder that too few women are gaining ground in social, economic and political spheres; that in many parts of the world, women are losing what they have gained over the years; and that others do not even know their rights at all and are still suffering from all forms of violence, trafficking, poverty and lack of education and finanical independence. Locally, more women are actively visible in the media, but there is still a long way to go to reach gender balance in Parliament, on company boards and in science and technology. As in the past 49 years, NCW will continue working to bring men on board, to  bridge the gaps between men and women.