Financial independence crucial for women to exit abusive situations, Helena Dalli says

Financial independence for women is a government priority in its fights against domestic abuse, Equality Minister Helena Dalli said.

Ensuring that women can stand on their own two feet is crucial for them to be able to exit abusive situations, she told a conference organised by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality.

“Schemes such as free child care for all, are important to allow women to exit situations of abuse, as many women stay with abusive partners because they have no other option,” Dalli said.

Domestic violence was a societal problem, not just a problem for the victim, she added.

The conference meeting on Thursday morning is focussed on assessing Malta’s standing vis-à-vis the Council of Europe’s objectives emanating from the Gender Equality Strategy, adopted in March this year.

Dalli said Malta had taken steps to implement the initiatives outlined in the strategy over the past few years, including strengthening the legal framework to prevent violence against women.

The Council of Europe’s strategies are the prevention and fight against gender stereotypes and sexism; combating and preventing violence against women and domestic violence; ensuring that equal access of women to justice; achieving balance in participation of women and men in political and public decision making; and protecting the rights of migrant refugees, asylum seeking women and girls.

Talking to participants in a video message, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Gabrielle Battani-Dragoni said figures showed that one in five children were sexually assaulted in Europe, one in 10 women were sexually assaulted from the age of 15, and one in 20 women were raped.