Discussion Meeting for Women in the Cottonera Region: Another Empowerment Initiative

On the initiative of the Ministry for Social Policy, a small-scale pilot project is being launched for women in the Cottonera region. The project consists of discussion meetings during which women will receive information from and discuss with specialists in each respective field about issues that relate directly to their daily lives and circumstances.

he discussion programme is structured around the double foci of empowerment and awareness raising intended to better equip women to choose what they want out of life. The session will include issues of concern such as the family law, children’s rights, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, women’s health, gambling and community development.

Speaking to those present while launching the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, said that government is taking bold and concrete steps in the field of gender equality. The initiatives proposed in the White Paper regarding Labour Legislation, the forthcoming White Paper on Gender Equality, the empowerment programme for women, the Child Care Task Force project, as well as the training initiatives launched by the ETC, all form part of a government-wide effort to tap the potential and increase the participation of women in the workplace as well as in civil representation.

The discussion groups for women are exactly targeted to achieve this aim and to foster a healthy balance between family life, career and the community. For example women’s health is a key issue for our country. Over half the population of Malta is female and what happens in their lives is a concern for us all. It is imperative that medical issues directly related to women are addressed adequately and clearly. After all, women are not a homogenous group and studies show that certain income groups are at greater risk from some diseases and generally are not able to recover from ill health as quickly and as successfully as other groups.

Another issue of concern is legal protection. Women need to be well informed about their rights and those of their children in order to make up their minds and take informed decisions. Also central to women’s lives are social issues which may effect them and their significant others. Gambling, substance abuse and domestic violence are among the social problems that may disrupt family life, and limit opportunities for women. Information about the issues themselves, the symptoms though which they may be identified and service providers in related fields will be freely discussed during these meetings.

Discussion meetings are scheduled to run until June on a weekly basis and will be of two hours’ duration. Women, especially those living in Birgu, Bormla, Isla and Kalkara are invited to attend.

The organizers are providing childcare for those who may wish to attend with young children. This project will be extended to other localities and may even be repeated in the same locality for others who are interested, subject to the interest demonstrated by the public.