Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

1. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Act No. XIX of 1991 amending article 45 of the Constitution to include the term "sex" among the grounds contained in the definition of discrimination (subsection 3) and to prohibit affording differential treatment to persons wholly or mainly due to their sex with respect to matters of personal law including adoption, marriage, dissolution of marriage, burial and devolution of property on death (subsection 4(c)).

2. The Committee notes with interest another amendment to the Constitution, substituting the former article 14, aimed at ensuring equal rights for women workers, with the provision that the State shall promote the equal right of men and women to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights and for this purpose shall take appropriate measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination between the sexes. It further notes the amendment to article 45 of the Constitution authorising the taking of special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures contemplated or taken pursuant to these sections to promote equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women in the field of the Convention.

3. The Committee notes with interest the establishment of the Commission for the Advancement of Women in 1989, which is entrusted with, among other duties, the proposal of amendments to be made to national laws to achieve equal status in a truly meaningful manner. It also notes with interest the establishment of the Secretariat for the Equal Status of Women in 1989, which has among its objectives the promotion and encouragement of effective implementation of the principles of equality between women and men in every sphere of Maltese life, including the promotion of co-responsibility within the family. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on activities and recommendations of the Commission and the Secretariat, indicating in particular the level of responsibility each of these agencies has in national policy-making and the results they have achieved in the field of the Convention.