The provision of childcare services in Malta

Abstract

To what extent does Malta’s social policy enhance gender equality in care work? Does Malta’s policy framework treat women primarily as breadwinners or as carers? Alternatively are women perceived as workers with care responsibilities? Is care work shared equally between women and men in Malta?

Government’s aim to increase women’s active participation in the labour market brings to the fore the importance attached to balancing employment with family life. Consequently, just as gender equality in employment could be achieved through policies that enable flexibility in exiting and re-entering the labour market, developing and implementing affordable and high-quality child care services, support parents in choosing and combining paid and unpaid work.

Indeed, the provision of care benefits facilitates women’s paid work. However, men’s participation in care work is an equally important issue in securing equal opportunities for women’s market participation. How effective are care policies in drawing Maltese men into unpaid care work? This thematic report for Malta considers the impact of recent government initiatives on childcare services in Malta, and develops an understanding of gender equality around key issues and concerns on care.