Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1385129
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JUNE 2021 OPINION science? COVID-19's effect on families: a woman's perspective this area as well. Recently, a local anti-choice group has claimed that the 'right to abortion' does not exist because it is not included specifically in the EU Charter of Fundamen- tal Rights. The Charter does not spell out the right to open-heart surgery, the right to cancer treat- ment, or the right to be attended to by a doctor in an emergency either but everybody would agree that every citizen has a right to these interventions. Various treaty monitoring bod- ies such as the UN Human Rights Committee, the CEDAW Com- mittee, the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner and the CRC Committee have af- firmed that restrictive abortion laws violate a range of human rights, including the rights to health, life, privacy, freedom from gender discrimination, and free- dom from ill-treatment. These rights are all affirmed in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Indeed, through the affirmation by European Commissioner He- lena Dalli earlier this year, the European Commission reminded Member States that "when mak- ing use of their competences, [they] must respect fundamen- tal rights, as they are binding on them by virtue of their constitu- tions and commitments under in- ternational law". This report has widespread sup- port in the European Parliament so at this point, what remains to be seen is who of our Maltese MEPs will be on the right side of history. Who is going to 'trust science', uphold human rights and ensure full commitment to gender equal- ity? And who will continue to perpetuate ill-health, inequalities, and breaches of rights for the sake of political expediency? IN some way or another, the pandemic has affected us all. Many of the measures to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our communities have had a negative impact on men, women and children around the world. Despite the various measures intended to sustain and support businesses and families in need, such measures need to clearly continue until they are gradually phased out as global economy recuperates once again. But the challenge remains. Have the meas- ures been enough? And despite these meas- ures, have we focused on the real issues – the wellbeing of people? Have we invested enough in the social and mental wellbeing of citizens? Looking ahead, how can we secure a better quality of life and a harmonious future? Women and their families have been par- ticularly affected during these unprecedented times, and mental health became a very im- portant issue. Quarantine and partial lock- downs involving the cancellation of sports and cultural events, the closure of shops and restaurants, the shutdown of schools and uni- versities, and home schooling, not to men- tion the financial strain placed on those who have lost their job, have put a terrific strain on both parents' and children's wellbeing. The psychological and mental stress placed on parents who have been trying to balance their personal life, work and raising children, all at the same time has been immense. It is therefore vital for policy-makers to consider the implications of the pandemic on families' mental health. Research is critical in this regard. In sever- al studies around the world, increased dis- tress and anxiety have been common factors among parents, and which factors could have also compromised their ability to be support- ive caregivers. Many parents or single parents who have lost their jobs, suffering a forced re- duction of their income have witnessed a se- vere impact on their family life which forced them to opt for parents' benefits. As the pandemic recedes and we begin to look towards a post-pandemic society, we need to find tangible and concrete ways to restore our mental health. And that time is now! If we really intent to have a healthier so- ciety and a healthier future, the wellbeing of parents and children must be put at the top of our agendas. It is an undenied reality, that women have been the ones taking on the most responsi- bilities during the pandemic. Since women act as the primary care givers in most house- holds, they have been the ones that had to take charge of their children's online learning whilst working from home or had to plan other arrangements for their children if they still had to go to work. Although men's par- ticipation in the household and childcare has increased, the major burden has still, and will still continue to fall on women. More wom- en than men have had to give up their jobs owing to their caring responsibilities or end- ed up working longer hours to keep up with their standard of living. All of this has put even greater strain on their work life balance and created even more pressure on them as they struggled through longer days at home with their children, whilst trying to maintain their own well-being. Single mothers were faced with even bigger challenges. In times when social interaction with family, friends and community was needed the most, they have had to do it all by themselves, having to make all the relevant decisions entirely on their own, and which inevitably led to difficulties in managing the daily routine for their families. Over these many months of the pandemic this has be- come unbelievably stressful. All such circum- stances have made women more vulnerable with an increase of anxiety and depression. A study carried out by the Consultative Council for Women's Rights in June 2020 and which was gladly shared with me by Dr JosAnn Cutajar, also highlights the burden that the pandemic has placed upon all moth- ers. Reflecting on the findings, they suggest that the mother's invisible contribution dur- ing the pandemic has to somehow be re- warded in some way. As a matter of fact, the pandemic has created more gender inequali- ty, with many women ending up working far more than their counterparts. Where do we go from here? Should we try to emulate Spain? Spain is one of the first European countries to try helping working mothers reconcile employment with family commitments. The Spanish approach would be a step towards promoting a healthier work life balance for women who are in the work- force or getting back in the working world whilst caring for their children. On the positive side, the pandemic has re- ally shaken us to our cores. As we move for- ward into a post pandemic world, this shared experience can provide an opportunity and a wake-up call for us all. This is an unparalleled opportunity to re-examine the way things have been done for the past several years. Recognising and easing the pressures and burdens on women and families is an impor- tant first step to a more compassionate and caring society for everyone. Julie Zahra Julie Zahra is an educator and a PN candidate Dr Andrea Dibben is chairperson Women's Rights Foundation There cannot be a commitment to the fundamental right to gender equality without a commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights. MEP Frederic Matic