The head of the domestic violence commission resigned “quietly” in July, the Times of Malta has learnt. 

Mr Gerada.

Joe Gerada, who is also chairman of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, confirmed his resignation when contacted.

Sources said the departure came after tensions with Equality Minister Helena Dalli.  “It was not a pleasant resignation,” the sources added.

But Mr Gerada denied the reasons and insisted that questions should be sent to the Equality Ministry.

Permanent Secretary Joseph Camilleri said Mr Gerada’s resignation “came after a mutual agreement he will offer his services in another area under the ministry’s remit”.

Simone Azzopardi has meanwhile been appointed Commissioner for Domestic Violence.

Read: Domestic violence victims should get 10-days paid leave - think-tank

The government’s commitment to combating domestic violence has been put in the spotlight after a number of women were murdered, allegedly by a loved one.

Since 2000, for every four women killed in Malta, three were murdered by their partner, NGOs said.

A group of 36 NGOs last week said the authorities were not doing enough to protect women from domestic violence and femicide.

In a joint statement, the groups said they were saddened by news that yet another woman had been killed in her home within weeks of the previous murder, marking this the fourth femicide in 2018.

Read: Why is it so hard for women to escape domestic violence?

Scores of protesters marched in Valletta on Saturday morning in memory of the women killed by partners or relatives in Malta. 

Participants, some of whom sported symbolic blood-stained necks, carried the names of 32 women and girls killed in the last 20 years by their partners, children and other relatives. 

The silent march was called after 35-year-old Lourdes Agius was found dead in her bedroom in Paola last weekend. Her partner has since been charged with her murder.