Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027.

The Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy & Action Plan (GEMSAP) recognises that society cannot reach its full potential without allowing each and every person to thrive equally, without gender-based obstacles. This Strategy therefore aims to identify and eradicate those obstacles by strengthening the gender perspective at all levels and stages of policy making. This document draws inspiration from the approach recommended by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) for Gender Equality Plans in its identification of evidence based challenges to equality, and their effective mitigation. Gender equality and mainstreaming will only be achieved when women and men enjoy a full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making, which requires a nation-wide gender equality and mainstreaming effort. This mainstreaming effort takes into account women and men’s different needs, roles, and opportunities, and drafts policy and takes decision within this mindset.
The Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy was formulated following intensive comparative research; consultations with the Consultative Council for Women’s Rights (CCWR); a public consultation; and extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders within government and civil society. The Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Strategy informs the Action Plan by adopting a dual approach. First, the introduction of gender mainstreaming - that is, a gender perspective into all stages and all sectors of policymaking. Secondly, the commitment to direct, targeted measures to achieve full gender equality. One approach cannot replace the other: this duality implies that policies are informed by the concrete situations and needs of people, by recognising the challenges attached to gender and their identities arising in various spheres of life. By doing so, policies are more effective, just, and lead to a fairer use and allocation of resources. The Strategy calls for the systematic inclusion of a gender perspective within every policy area, as well as the implementation of intersectionality, to ensure that no one is left behind, and that national actions address the widest range of discriminatory practices possible. Gender mainstreaming also ensures the redistribution of power, influence, and resources in a fair and gender-equal manner, tackling inequality, promoting fairness, and creating true equality of opportunity.
To address the existing issues as identified by Government, but also as highlighted by EIGE, the calls issued by the European Commission in its Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, Malta’s international commitments, as well as to further accelerate the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Malta’s first Gender Equality and Mainstreaming Action Plan focuses on eight strategic objectives: 1. Strengthening of Institutional Mechanisms for Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Equality; 2. Guarantee equal access to employment in all sectors, combat segregation and ensuring Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value; 3. Enhancing women’s economic independence; 4. Strengthening the principle of gender equality & mainstreaming in the education system and challenging gender stereotypes; 5. Promoting co-responsibility and balance of work, private and family life; 6. Achieving gender balance in political and public decision making; 7. Promoting gender equality in social wellbeing and healthcare policies; 8. Eliminate gender imbalance in the field of justice by addressing gender bias and gender stereotypes.