Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1494347
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 MARCH 2023 2 BOV commemorates International Women's Day IN the lead up to International Women's Day being celbrated today, Bank of Valletta put the spotlight on three non-profit making organisations that sup- port vulnerable women. Charles Azzopardi, who heads the Bank's CSR function, said that BOV employs over 2,000 employees, where almost 60% of the workforce is female, and where most employees have daughters, wives and/or sisters they care deeply about. "In addition to supporting our people by ensuring equal oppor- tunities, the Bank also supports work-life balance, family-friendly measures and leadership courses. This year, we sought the support of female representatives from the Bank's top management to shine a light on three NGOs that support vulnerable women in our commu- nities, in spite of the challenging circumstances they would be fac- ing. For us, this is as important as extending a helping hand through monetary donations to help them further their mission." Izabela Banas, Chief Finance Officer at BOV, visited the Wom- en's Right Foundation (WRF), a volunary organisation commit- ted to championing women's le- gal rights through education and empowerment. She was greeted by Dr Lara Dimitrijevic, a mem- ber of the Board of Directors who gave an overview of the Foun- dation's ongoing projects. They discussed the hardships some women are facing in today's so- ciety, a reality that highlights the important role played by WRF in its efforts to ensure that women's rights are protected through pol- icy and law reform. Dimitrijevic said that "our Foundation works closely with women who have experienced gender-based discrimination, including domestic violence or femicide. We focus on push- ing for reform in policies aimed at protecting women and their rights, a role that is sometimes met with public backlash." She went on to say that for the WRF, a success story is one where a woman walks away with her children, safe from harm and able to have a second chance at a healthy and full life. Whilst commending Dr Dimi- trijevic for the Foundation's work and success, Banas said that "at times we forget that today we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, fighting for rights that we now tend to take for granted. As a society we need to continue pushing to narrow the gender gap." The second organisation visited was Dar Merhba Bik, an organi- sation run by the Good Shepherd Sisters, who work with women who have fallen victim to domes- tic violence. Elaine Vassallo Pavia wel- comed Elena Dourou, BOV's Group Chief Internal Auditor, at one of their shelters. She said that "a family would normal- ly spend around six months at Dar Merħba Bik, where those in need, whether adults, seniors or children, are provided with the psycho-social services they need, including counseling and ther- apeutical support to help them live their life beyond the trauma of domestic abuse." She went on to explain that once this program is completed, the family moves to a 12-month program at Dar Santa Bakhita where it is given semi-independ- ent accommodation as it is slowly reintegrated into the community, helping it find alternative accom- modation and employment. The shelter has the capacity to ac- commodate up to 17 families. The last NGO participating in this initiative was Fondazzjoni Sebħ, where Yvonne Mallia, Di- rector of Fondazzjoni Sebħ and Kerry Hermitage, Family Ser- vices Senior Manager welcomed Charles Azzopardi at Il-Milja. This NGO provides residential services to female survivors of vio- lence and their children, as well as a community service offering sup- port to individuals and families. Azzopardi was given a tour of the residential home that offers an element of independence to the families seeking refuge. Mallia explained that at the same time, these homes act as communities where vulnerable persons feel safe sharing their experiences and supporting one another. The financial support offered by the Bank as part of this initiative is earmarked to com- plete a spirituality room that res- idents can visit for reflection as spirituality is an integral part of the recovery process. The spirit- uality room will cater for differ- ent cultures and religious beliefs. Lara Dimitrijevic (left) welcomed Izabela Banas, BOV's Chief Finance Officer, at the Women's Right Foundation (WRF) KARL AZZOPARDI THE Prime Minister has said there is no documented legal advice on the Vitals Global Healthcare hos- pitals concession. Nationalist MP Mark Anthony Sammut asked Prime Minister Robert Abela to table a copy of legal advice former Prime Minis- ter Joseph Muscat said he had in his office regarding the conces- sion and agreements with Vitals. Following the landmark deci- sion by the court to annul all the concession of the three public hospitals to Vitals and Steward, Muscat insisted that contracts had all been approved by the cab- inet. Muscat said at every stage of the hospital concession, "which included hospitals that had been abandoned or closed for years, [decisions] were done with con- tinuous discussions and docu- mented decisions of the cabinet." "For the deal to happen, the process had to undergo legal scrutiny," Muscat said. "In the Office of the Prime Minister there is no similar ad- vice. I confirm that I had no role regarding the concession and agreement with Vitals Global Healthcare," Abela said, replying to Sammut's parliamentary ques- tion. Prime Minister Robert Abela (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Abela says no documented legal advice exists at OPM on Vitals deal Prime Minister says there is no documented legal advice on the Vitals Global Healthcare hospitals concession