On the 2012 international woman’s day AD would like to see more
opportunities for women to be able to realise their huge potential,
ideally without having to resort to quotas.

Angele Deguara, AD Spokesperson for Social Policy, said: “It is sad
that companies in Europe are being warned by EU Justice Commissioner
Viviane Reding that unless women’s representation on company boards is
increased, the EU would have to resort to legislation which will
enforce the desired increase.  AD believes that ideally, quotas will
be used as a last resort. In a just and equal society, women and men
would both have equal opportunities to participate fully in both the
public and the private spheres.  As things stand, such opportunities
for women remain only on paper since not enough support structures
exist to ensure their participation in public life.  This despite the
great strides women have made in education.”

Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, deputy chairperson said: “Malta remains at the
bottom of the EU table in terms of female participation in society –
whether it is the workplace, politics or decision making. Change can
only happen if government invests in equality and comes along with an
adequate holistic strategy with clear benchmarks and targets. Women
cannot wait for another 100 years until they reach their equal status
in society.”

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “Social policy has a major
role to play in the move towards a more gender equal society. In this
regard, social policies should promote the ‘universal caregiver’
model, where everyone, irrespective of gender has equal access in
public activities such as employment and where everyone has
responsibilities in caring roles.”