Minister Helena Dalli presents the priorities of the Maltese Presidency on women’s rights and gender equality before the European Parliament

Met dank overgenomen van Maltees voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2017 (EU2017MT) i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 25 januari 2017.

25.01.2017

Minister Helena Dalli presents the priorities of the Maltese Presidency on women’s rights and gender equality before the European Parliament

“Safeguarding equal opportunities for the participation of women and men in the EU labour market continues to be a pertinent issue”

Earlier today, Minister for Social dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Dr Helena Dalli presented the priorities on women’s rights and gender equality during a session of the FEMM Committee i at the European Parliament.

Minister Dalli remarked how there is a growing commitment at a European level to prevent, combat and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence and violence against women. In this regard, Dr Dalli referred to the Istanbul Convention as a tool which the Maltese Presidency has pledged to make as one of its mandate’s core human rights goals. In addition, she emphasised the importance of having as many Member States as possible to move towards its ratification while the EU moves closer towards its own ratification of this Convention.

Minister Dalli said that the Maltese Presidency looks forward for the launch of the European Commission’s proposal on Work-Life Balance and shall be striving to achieve significant progress during its term. Dr Dalli remarked how this expected EU initiative aims to modernise current EU legal and policy framework, in order to adapt it to today’s labour market and to allow parents with children or workers with dependent relatives to better-balance caring professional responsibilities.

“Safeguarding equal opportunities for the participation of women and men in the EU labour market continues to be a pertinent issue,” stated Dr Dalli whilst remarking that the Maltese Presidency launched a set of Draft Council Conclusions addressing those women and men trapped in low income precarious work without any opportunities for advancement due to a lack of skills.

Minister Dalli explained how the work of the Maltese Presidency in the area of gender shall be extended through various events which include a European event addressing the elimination of violence against women and gender based violence, a high level Ministerial conference on LGBTIQ and the commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia through different activities and initiatives in Brussels.

In reaction, a significant number of MEPs praised the work that Malta is doing in the area of women’s rights and gender equality including LGTBIQ rights.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eu2017mt/32531298955/in/album-72157675458927640/