NCW Annual General Meeting held

The Annual General Meeting of the National Council of Women was held on 26 January at The Victoria Hotel, Sliema. President Mary Gaerty spoke about the work the Council has embarked on in 2018. This included pensions, education, violence against women, work and entrepreneurship, work life balance and the challenges faced by women on a daily basis.

She also highlighted the fact that the National Council of Women is looking ahead at the constant changes happening at national, EU level and globally and this is reflected in the 2019 resolutions. Gaerty stressed the need to address poverty and the means to overcome it through education, knowledge about financial independence and financial capability. The means to obtain the necessary skills and the enhancement of existing skills could be the initial steps. The possibilities of education through Lifelong Learning are reachable by those who wish to tap this resource. She said that the introduction of skill cards qualifying a person’s competences will serve as a ticket, either to continue with the development of skills or for employment. Many women, especially those seeking first employment after raising a family, would be better equipped when applying for a job.

Gaerty urged young women to venture further and choose careers in Science, Engineering, R&D and ICT. Employment in these areas offer highly paid jobs in the diverse and related sectors and opportunities for promotions and managerial positions. This is crucial to the employment of women in future sectors and which will lead to realistic gender equality. Finally Gaerty en- couraged women to make their choices and decisions based on reliable and researched information.

Guest speaker Alexandra Zammit, European Semester officer gave a presentation on Malta’s country report on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The General Assembly also discussed and approved a number of resolutions, including those submitted by the affiliated organisations dealing with: • Work life balance and the gender pay gap • Challenges and opportunities for SMEs in future

work and digitalisation • A holistic approach to migration • Migration and the situation of women asylum seek

ers • Violence against women • Paternity leave • Sick leave in view of children’s illness

Other documents that were discussed were: • Consequence of legislation on prostitution • Today’s planning for tomorrow’s well being

The NCW Executive Committee for 2019 includes president Mary Gaerty, hon. general secretary Doris Bingley, vice presidents: Grace Attard, Amy Camilleri Zahra and Diane Xuereb, hon. treasurer Therese Cassola and members: Jacqueline Giordmania, Mary Buttigieg Said, Doreen Borg Zammit, Gertrude Abela, Josette Barbara Cardona, Lara Gail Dougall, Doris Caruana, Rebecca Wellman, Mandy Mifsud, Nadyanne Mangion, Dr Claudine Zarb, NCW legal advisor and Marie Demicoli, office secretary.