Shifting structures : promoting gender mainstreaming for structural & systemic change vol. 1

Abstract

This publication is the result of a collaborative effort between the University of Malta’s Department of Gender and Sexualities and the Human Rights Directorate. While the University of Malta regularly hosts research symposiums to showcase student research, this initiative marks the first symposium dedicated exclusively to themes related to gender mainstreaming. In early 2024, a call for abstracts was issued, inviting research contributions that explore the intersections of gender, work, care, and social structures. The Women and Gender Studies Symposium, held in September 2024, featured three sessions focusing on gender roles, the dynamics of paid and unpaid work, and the intersections of gender-based violence and sexuality. The selected research papers examine critical themes, including gender and family structures, the gendered dimensions of care work, well-being in professional and institutional settings, and the interplay between care, sexuality, and vulnerability. From the submissions received, eight pieces were chosen for inclusion in this publication. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Department of Gender and Sexualities, particularly its Head, Prof. JosAnn Cutajar, for partnering with the HRD’s Gender Mainstreaming Unit in the organization of this symposium. We also acknowledge the dedication of all contributing researchers, whose work advances scholarly discourse on gender equality and care work. Their contributions not only enrich academic inquiry but also inform policy and practice in this crucial field.