Sharp Rise in Traditional Gender Views Among Maltese Women, EU Study Shows: A new EIGE Gender Equality Index shows that 45% of women in Malta now believe a man’s primary role is to earn money, well above the EU average and a sharp rise since 2017. Support among men stands at 41%. Malta scored 58.9 on the gender equality index, below the EU average, despite major gains in workplace equality and political representation. The country still faces severe gaps, including the EU’s largest gender pension gap and high poverty rates among single parents. Young Maltese men were also found to be among Europe’s most tolerant of harassment and sexist behaviour. (Times of Malta)
Borg Urges Housing Reforms and Ministerial Transparency Amid Galdes Controversy: Opposition leader Alex Borg urged sweeping reforms to tackle Malta’s housing affordability crisis and called for stricter ministerial transparency, including mandatory annual asset declarations. Citing the controversy over Housing Minister Roderick Galdes’s discounted Gozo penthouse purchase, he reiterated calls for Galdes’s resignation and an auditor general probe. Borg proposed rent-to-own schemes, equity sharing and deposit support for first-time buyers, alongside a labour market study to address population pressures. He also pushed for education modernisation, digital-sector investment in Gozo, improved connectivity, and justice reforms. Borg pledged to publish PN accounts and launch new crowdfunding initiatives. (MaltaToday)
Developer Rejects Favouritism Claims Over Galdes Penthouse Purchase: Excel Investments said most of the 75 properties sold in the Ħal Gelmus project, including four penthouses, were priced lower per square metre than the penthouse bought by Minister Roderick Galdes, rejecting claims of preferential treatment. It said Galdes purchased one of the project’s smallest units at an average price, with property prices ranging from €1,004 to €2,883/m² depending on size and design. The company added that linking the sale to its separate participation in a government social housing rental scheme is unjust, stressing the scheme was open to all owners and unrelated to the 2021 sale. (TVM News)
