A new gender equality action plan will weed out discrimination at the workplace, Equality Minister Helena Dalli said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference to mark International Women’s Day, Dr Dalli announced the start of a public consultation on a new action plan that aims to mainstream equal rights between genders at the workplace.

The plan was drafted by the newly set up Gender Mainstreaming Unit within the Human Rights and Integration Directorate, and will eventually be translated into laws that will stamp out “inherent biases that persist in society today”, the minister said.

“The government needs to set the standard that will then be implemented by the private sector - this is our approach,” Dr Dalli said.

She explained that the action plan was spread across eight pillars: the right to equal treatment; equal access and opportunities and tackling the gender pay gap; financial independence, access to knowledge and education; co-responsibility and balance of work, private, and family life; access to health and general wellbeing; and intersectionality, which will aim to ensure equality for all women, no matter their unique characteristics.

The ultimate law will focus on amending existing legislation that retains discriminatory functions, introducing new provisions for the elimination of the gender pay gap and setting up a new structure to mainstream gender equality in society as a whole, Dr Dalli said.

The public is being asked to weigh in on whether the eight pillars sufficiently address the problem as well as to propose specific measures. The public can also highlight discriminatory provisions in the law for possible amendment, as well as indicate preferred models for legislative reform.

Submissions can be sent via email to humanrights@govt.mt or by post to The Human Rights Directorate, A3Towers, Level 0, Triq L-Arkata, Paola, PLA 1211.

Submissions must be received by April 8.