A day in her life : insights into the social and economic contribution of Maltese women

Abstract

Since its inception, the Workers' Participation Development Centre of the University of Malta has been actively involved in the participation of women at home, at work and in society. Its contribution is done through teaching, research and consultancy for social policy making in this area. Over the years a fruitful collaboration has been developed with the Commission for the Advancement of Women. In 1992 an empirical survey on women workers in industrial estates was conducted with the Commission's support. In I 996 we jointly published a study of Gender Trends in Malta. Additionally, the University Diploma in Gender and Development is another result of this ongoing collaboration. It is with satisfaction that I am now presenting the latest output of this collaboration - in the form of the present study. I am convinced that this study will make another important contribution towards a fuller appreciation of the often hidden contribution which Maltese women are making in various forms towards the functioning of our economy and society. There is no doubt that women's role has been changing significantly in recent years and that this change is affecting the whole structure of Malta's economy and society.