The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women, incorporating what were previously known as the Commission for the Advancement of Women and the Department for Women in Society, was set up in January 2004. The Commission is an autonomous body, set up with the aim to monitor the implementation of the Act to Promote Equality for Men and Women that came into force in December 2003, and to promote equality in spheres where it may be lacking. Thus the Commission works to ensure that Maltese society is a society free from any form of discrimination based on sex in all sectors and at all levels with respect of opportunities, services and benefits.

You can contact us by-

• coming personally or writing to the-

National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women

2, Cavalier Street

Valletta CMR 02

When you visit our office we will-

• be quick, courteous and helpful at all times
• welcome you in a clean and friendly environment.

When you phone us you can expect us to-

• answer promptly
• identify ourselves and our position.

When you write to us you can expect us to-

• acknowledge your e-mail within one working day
• acknowledge your other correspondence within two working days.

Hours, during which we are open to the public, Monday to Friday, are-

Winter

1^st October to 15^th June

8.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.

Summer

16^th June to 30^th September

8.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.

Personal information provided is protected and used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2001.

The functions of the Commission are-

1. to identify, establish and update all policies directly or indirectly related to issues of equality for men and women

 

2. to identify the needs of persons who are disadvantaged by reasons of their sex and to take such steps within its power and to propose appropriate measures in order to cater for such needs in the widest manner possible

 

3. to monitor the implementation of national policies with respect to the promotion of equality for men and women

 

4. to liase between, and ensure the necessary co-ordination between, government departments and other agencies in the implementation of measures, services or initiatives proposed by Government or the Commission from time to time

 

5. to keep direct and continuous contact with local and foreign bodies working in the field of equality issues, and with other groups, agencies or individuals as the need arises

 

6. to work towards the elimination of discrimination between men and women

 

7. to carry out general investigations with a view to determine whether the provisions of the Act to Promote Equality for Men and Women are being complied with

 

8. to investigate complaints of a more particular or individual character to determine whether the provisions of this Act are being contravened with respect to the complainant and, where deemed appropriate, to mediate with regard to such complaints

 

9. to inquire into and advise or make determinations on any matter relating to equality between men and women as may be referred to it by the Minister

 

10. to provide assistance, where and as appropriate, to persons suffering from discrimination in enforcing their rights under the Act

 

11. to keep under review the working of the Act, and where deemed required, at the request of the minister or otherwise, submit proposals for its amendment or substitution

 

12. to perform such other function as may be assigned by this or any other Act or such other functions as may be assigned by the Minister.

Changes and measures needed to eliminate disadvantage and achieve full equality are identified mainly through contact with the public, particularly through requests for assistance by persons in difficult situations or facing some form of discrimination based on sex, and through research studies concerning the situation and needs of women and men.

Requests for assistance concern mainly-

• family crises
• domestic violence
• administration of property/community of acquests
• separation
• maintenance
• child custody
• annulment procedures
• employment
• conditions of work, reduced hours, maternity and parental leave
• childcare
• discrimination
• sexual harassment
• pensions

The public (mainly government departments, journalists and students) also frequently contact us for information on-

• the rights of women and men with respect to the different areas of social life e.g.- education, employment, the family, health and social security
• the situation and advancement of women, in relation to men, with respect to the above
• current government policies and practices to decrease the differences between the sexes.

The Commission also has a Research and Documentation Centre at its premises that is open to the public. This library consists of over 5,000 books, journals and articles covering various literature related to gender issues, and is also available on-line on our web site.

With respect to requests for assistance, information and documentation that may be provided directly by us, we will-

• acknowledge your request on day of receipt
• send a reply within one working day from when we receive your request.

For requests that require information that is not already available to the Commission, the client may expect-

• a reply within two working days of the action to be taken
• an answer to the request within three working days.

For requests that require action in collaboration with other entities the client may expect-

• a reply within two working days of the action to be taken
• an update of action taken and an account of developments every five working days.

We will send you the information requested by e-mail, fax or post. If documentation requested concerns copies of reports or books, the client is requested to collect these from the Commission. Interested persons may also view our web site for any information available on-line. All requests for assistance and information are treated with privacy and confidentiality.

If you think we have not met the standards outlined in this Charter kindly let us know. If you need to complain about some aspect of our service, please speak to the person seeing to your request. If you are not satisfied with the reply, please write to-

The Executive Director

National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women

2, Cavalier Street

Valletta CMR 02

You shall be informed of the action to be taken within two working days of receipt of the complaint. You shall be informed of the procedures underway to address the complaint within five working days.

In the case of assistance sought from the Commission, the Commission monitors the frequency and nature of request, the duration of response given and the procedures involved in providing this response, in order to maximize our quality of service to the satisfaction of the client.

We also seek to ensure that services are in line with the diversity of client needs and expectations by seeking to obtain as much feedback as possible from clients. This feedback is necessary to highlight needs that require our intervention.

Kindly give us your comments and suggestions by filling in the feedback form (back cover of this brochure) and leaving it in the suggestion box that we have made available at our reception desk or affix a stamp and send it by post to our office.

All information is correct at time of going to print. More information can be found on the Charter Support Unit web site and the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity.

May 2004

Published by the Charter Support Unit, OPM

Printed at the Government Printing Press