Affirming Gender Mainstreaming at a National Level

Objectives:

This initiative sought to affirm the concept of gender mainstreaming at a national level in all spheres of activity.  A gender mainstreaming strategy is not aimed at changing men or women, but it rather accepts their different situations, priorities and needs as being of the same importance.  This is the starting point in (re)designing organisations and institutions to be gender equal.

This initiative aimed at providing directors, policy makers, human resource managers and equality bodies with the impetus to update policies and practices to meet the obligations of EU and Maltese commitments towards the implementation of gender mainstreaming.

Training:

The principle of gender mainstreaming was promoted through the following training sessions:

• Training seminars for directors, managers and policy makers coming from both the Private and Public Sector.
• Training for various Equality Committees within every Government Ministry.

Awareness Raising:

The following awareness raising activities were held as part of this initiative:

Adverts were issued on all local Sunday newspapers to disseminate information about the training seminars, the aims and components of this initiative and the benefits of introducing gender mainstreaming in the business environment.

An information pack on the implementation of gender mainstreaming and on NCPE’s role in this regard was produced specifically for directors, policy makers and H.R. managers, and  distributed among all business organisations in Malta and Gozo.

A brochure targeting the general public was produced, printed and distributed to all households in Malta and Gozo, disseminating information on gender equality; gender equality in employment; discriminatory advertising; sexual harassment and where to seek advice and assistance.

• Information Pack for Business Organisations / Ġabra ta’ Informazzjoni għall-Kumpaniji:  Part 1 / Part 2
• Information Pack for Households / Ġabra ta’ Informazzjoni għ​ad-Djar:  Part 1 / Part 2

Meetings with Equality Committees in various ministries were held to further promote the principle of gender mainstreaming, explaining the role of equality committees and suggesting ideas and concepts that help to develop or enhance the equality policy and equality principle.

A radio advertisement campaign, consisting of four different radio public service announcements (PSAs) in Maltese and English, was carried out on the main national radio stations.  These PSAs raised awareness with the general public on what constitutes gender discrimination by using various examples. Simultaneously, a television advertisement campaign, consisting of two PSAs, was also carried out on the main national television stations.  These addressed sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the workplace.

                                Project Ref.       ESF 48

                                Project Name   Affirming Gender Mainstreaming at a National Level 

                                Fund                 EU Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006

                                Start Date         May 2007

                                End Date          June 2009