1. Turning to Malta and Gozo Gender Equality

2. Malta & Gozo A recent research entitled ‘Unlocking the Female Potential’ commissioned by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality and sponsored by the EU aimed to provide a picture of the situation of women in Malta and Gozo

3. MALTA The report was handed over to policy makers including Local and Regional authorities. From the study it emerged that :

4. MALTA Seven out of 10 working women claim that their employer does not have an equal opportunity policy at work to avoid discrimination and harassment,

5. MALTA One in every 10 women experienced some form of sexual harassment at work but half did not report the abuse or avoided the perpetrator. Only one in three of those harassed said they confronted their abuser.

6. MALTA Results showed that 63 per cent of working women felt economically independent due to their job. 45 per cent said they worked because they felt the financial need, 13 per cent work for their personal well being and 10 per cent said they were the sole breadwinners.

7. MALTA 53 per cent of women who did not work said this was because they had to look after children. 44 per cent felt that having children hinder women from working while 12 per cent attributed this to the lack of support structures.

8. MALTA A third of vulnerable workers (both men and women), who are defined as not being given basic working conditions, are not formally registered with their employer.

9. MALTA Almost 70 per cent of 600 vulnerable workers interviewed – that worked in tourism, cleaning and language schools – were paid on an hourly rate, 15 per cent were paid below minimum wage, 19 per cent were not paid government bonuses, 40 per cent were not allowed break time.

10. MALTA 55 per cent said they had no trade union representation at work. The majority of workers, 94 per cent, felt government should invest in more awareness of workers' rights, Out of every 10 women working only three, or 31 per cent, received a job promotion while 69 per cent never did.

11. MALTA More than half the women were illegally asked about their plans to have children during job interviews.

12. GOZO 78 per cent of Gozitan women work in Gozo.