Together Gibraltar will be holding a fireside chat event this evening for International Women’s Day comprising of a moderator and five panellists from inside and outside of the party membership.

The party hopes to engage a cross section of the community with the intention of constructively discussing the current equality issues locally, and find ways to effect positive changes to improve the gender balance in our society.

Together Gibraltar is also releasing a proposal paper with suggested equality policies, which the party will use as its template for upcoming consultation and costing with business interest groups, trade organisations, industry captains and relevant stakeholders.

The event is open to the general public and commences at 7pm at our Together Gibraltar party headquarters at 230 Main Street.

Gender Equality Proposals by Together Gibraltar

Equality is one of our core values and we are committed to full and real equality between the genders. To make this a reality we intend to undertake a costing analysis and consult with business interest groups, trade organisations, industry captains and relevant stakeholders. Our aim is to start this conversation and engage in dialogue with the community, to embark on a consultation process. Together, we hope to remedy the present inequalities in healthcare, employment and remuneration, and help those affected by sexual harassment and domestic violence.

It is increasingly evident that the lack of gender equity hinders productivity and economic growth. There is an urgent need to address the wide gap in employment and earnings between men and women, given that the gender pay gap stands at 22.5% as per the most recent Employment Survey. There is also an uneven distribution in earnings where women abound in the lower earning income brackets whilst their male counterparts abound in the higher ones. Similarly, the majority of those in part time work are women and there is an 18-point gap in full time employment figures in favour of men.

Gender Pay Gap

• Introduce statutory paternity leave and equalise with maternity leave, making it non-transferable, to be taken within the first year.

• Have an additional period on benefits available to either party or shared whichever way they wish. This can only be claimed by one party at a time, with a further extension if both take this up. Allow either parent to go unpaid for up to a year. This will also be applicable to self-employed persons resident in Gibraltar.

• Review of maternity / paternity benefits and existing child benefits.

• Incentivise flexible working, facilitate part-time and home working for both men and women that can foster a better work-life balance and improve productivity. Introduce statutory right to request flexible working in line with existent UK legislation.

• Help small businesses with tax breaks or subsidies to implement these changes.

• Create equal opportunities of employment by investing in opportunity traineeships, provide individual guidance, vocational training to tackle under-representation of women in all sectors.

Healthcare

• As per our submission to HMGoG, women should be in charge of their reproductive health and have access to free, safe and legal abortion. This is crucial to women’s economic, educational and social advancement.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment

• Strengthen the existing domestic violence legislation to include emotional and psychological abuse as well as controlling or coercive behaviour.

• Work on prevention, awareness and education by engaging with law enforcement agencies and relevant charities ensuring that victims have adequate support.

• Help people trapped in their circumstances to escape the cycle of violence, especially through safe housing which is an important way to escape abuse.

• Have awareness-raising campaigns aimed at young people, educators and parents to tackle sexual harassment at grass root levels.

Gender Equality in Gibraltar

Figures from the most recent Employment Survey from 2017 speak for themselves and we can all draw our own conclusions.