The quest for true gender equality

A change in mentality coupled with flexibility were crucial ingredients for true gender equality to be achieved in Malta, according to Janet Mifsud, the newly appointed Commissioner of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women.

The title is quite a mouthful and the part-time post is not exactly very cushy either, yet Dr Mifsud is a person who rises up to the challenge. She thrusts aside the comment that achieving gender equality in a nation steeped in tradition and with ingrained values, is a daunting task.

"I wouldn't say it's a daunting task but rather challenging and I enjoy challenges," Dr Mifsud said in one of her first interviews since her appointment.

The two-year post may be a part-time appointment for the senior lecturer at the university's Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics but Dr Mifsud is aware she needs to inject full-time dedication.

"The law for gender equality is finally there but the team within the commission has to set up the whole infrastructure with limited resources," she said.

"We also have to ensure that people are aware on how the new law empowers them to stand up for their rights. The law is there but it will remain a piece of paper unless they are aware of it."

As the world marks Woman's Day today, Dr Mifsud insists the commission is not just about women but about equality.

So why not also celebrate Man's Day? Don't you think some women don't feel the need to mark Woman's Day?

"Well, first of all if the rest of the world celebrated Man's Day we would too but there is no such day yet. Secondly, while accepting that women have made tremendous advancements in society reality remains that there are still a lot of inequalities worldwide which women face every day," she pointed out.

Dr Mifsud quoted as a simple example the role of women on boards or committees, and the attitude of males. "Sometimes I am attending a meeting where I'm the only female and it is automatically assumed that I have to write the minutes of the meeting. It's a simple example but women are sometimes hesitant to take a stand," she continued.

So is Dr Mifsud a feminist?

"No, I'm just Janet Mifsud," was her quick reply.

On the flip side of the coin, Dr Mifsud said few places had neutral baby changing rooms for the growing number of single fathers, who were in a quandary on what to do.

Touching on another subject, Dr Mifsud said the commission would be working hard to ensure there was a greater presence of women in decision-making organisations. So did the commission believe that minimum quotas of women on boards were a necessary evil?

"I think persons should be appointed on their own merits not because of quotas and if there is a level playing field for both men and women there would be no need for them.

However, the 'old boys' network is still very strong in Malta, sidelining women," she said.

Dr Mifsud agreed that women may not wish to hold certain positions due to numerous work-family commitments but she truly believed they were not being given a chance in the first place.

"Around 53 per cent of the university graduates are female. Where are they going? Malta is losing a valuable resource somehow," she said.

Female participation in the labour field in Malta stood at about 37 per cent, among the lowest in Europe, yet Dr Mifsud questioned why the hidden, yet valuable, role of women in voluntary organisations was not even being considered or analysed.

Better childcare facilities for those who wished to take a career break to raise a family were crucial to attract women back to the workplace.

The commission is calling on those selecting people to sit on boards or committees to approach it. "We can nominate qualified women who could do a good job. There are so many females who want to contribute but are never asked," she added.

Dr Mifsud said the commission's challenge was to develop practical strategies in order to bring about real change towards equality. "We have to recognise the realities in the lives of men and women that prevent or limit them from achieving their potential because of their gender."

The commission will be roping in local councils to participate in its information-gathering exercise to promote gender equality on a local level.

The lack of sex-disaggregated data for key measures of economic, human and social development remained an important constraint.

"Only with the necessary human and financial resources to undertake such continuous ongoing research can information, based on more reliable data indicators and benchmarks, be collected. It is these mechanisms that will enable the commission to better plan and more accurately assess progress."

Boasting a stellar CV - from her presence on several international scientific committees to being founder of the Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association, among many others - Dr Mifsud has what it takes to bring about gender equality.