On Friday, 8 July the Gender+ Equity Plan was presented to the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, Hon. Rebecca Buttigieg by the Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity Committee. The Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity committee was set up in 1991 and its objective is to advise the University Council on issues of gender equality. One of the latest initiatives put forward by this committee is the Gender+ Equity Plan.
Prof Carmen Sammut explained to the Parliamentary Secretary that the University of Malta is very keen in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The Pro-Rector for Student and Staff Affairs and Outreach that the Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity Committee is one of the oldest pillars where EDI is concerned, while the Centre for Race and Ethnic Affairs is one of the newest committees to be set up. Prof Sammut explained that the university is constantly evaluating and in the process changing its policies to ensure that students and staff wellbeing is promoted. She pointed out to the changes enacted to the sexual harassment policy at UM. “Equity must be seen as intersectional - this equity plan will incorporate race, sexuality and more”, said Prof Sammut.
Prof JosAnn Cutajar, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Wellbeing and the chair of the Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity Committee presented the Gender+ Equity plan to Hon Buttigieg, as well as the timeline of its implementation. She pointed out that inclusive language is a crucial part of this change. “Through this plan, we are trying to change the minds of the future policy makers and citizens, since our goal is to promote a diverse and inclusive society at University and beyond.”
Mr Roderick Vasallo, the Vice-Principal at Junior College presented the Gender Identity and Expression Policy document and guidelines, which started around one and a half years ago and are about to be finalised and presented to the Senate and Council.
The Faculty of Education Dean, Prof Colin Calleja was also present at this meeting to discuss the Gender+ Equity plan role in Educational institutions.
Ms Marcelle Bugre, who has recently been appointed Equity Officer, will be in charge of the implementation of the Gender+ Equity Plan. As Equity Officer her role is to gather data and ensure that research is conducted to ensure that UM policies are having the desired effect.
Prof Maureen Cole underlined that UM has had a Sexual Harassment Policy since 1994. She underlined that the 2022 Sexual Harassment Policy covers all those who work and study at UM and JC. This policy has increased the time limit to report. She underlined that the advisors have not received that many reports and that among those who report incidents of sexual harassment, not many of them move forward.
Dr Joan Camilleri spoke about the Health and Wellness Clinic that she runs. She underlined that the cases keep rising every year, especially among full-time and part-time undergraduates as well as staff. Dr Camilleri underlined that as part of its inclusive policy, their reports are written in autistic friendly font. Part of the clinic’s success rests on the fact that flexible hours are used - this benefits both workers and clients. Some of the training sessions conducted by this clinic were discussed, namely training to staff/students on how to handle suicidal students, time-management and resiliency, mentoring as well as leadership skills and conflict resolution,
Ms Elisa Micallef Peplow, the vice President of Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU), underlined the number of awareness raising campaigns that the KSU has been involved in the past year. Apart from the awareness raising campaign on saying no to sexual harassment, she mentioned another on the promotion of sexual health.
The Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Buttigieg underlined what the government is doing to promote equality. The focus was on the Equality Bill and the strategy plans set up by the different entities within the Human Rights Directorate “The University is an institution that brings together thousands of people from all walks of life. It is therefore important that we take the necessary steps to jointly create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity.