Kaizenlog

Press Statement
19th July 2008

State needs to cater for parentless children – says Alternattiva Demokratika

“Measures to strengthen the Maltese family should be taken by the State”, said Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson for Health and Social Protection Mary Anne Zammit. “The structure of society in Malta and even in Gozo has changed a lot in recent years and has led to a substantial amount of family breakdowns in our country. The reality is that not only do 37 % of Maltese schoolchildren live with just one parent, as the latest Health Behaviour of School-Aged Children Study has revealed, but also that Maltese society today comprises new and different forms of families, as well as of different forms of unmarried couples”.

“The number of children registered as being of unknown fathers, around 9-10%, is another social reality. There are those genuine cases of single mothers needing social benefits and children’s allowance. These genuine cases are the most vulnerable and need to be supported by the State to prevent them from falling into poverty, but there are others who are simply abusing the Social Welfare System and these are the ones who are misappropriating the available funds and hindering the other genuine cases.” said Mary Anne Zammit.

The Green Party chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola concluded; “The Social Security System should be revised in order to control these abuses thus focusing its resources only on those who genuinely need these services. The state can help those genuine single mothers by implementing flexible working hours and setting up child care centres which are accessible and affordable. Also, measures should be taken to ensure that the invisible or absent fathers are held responsible for their children. Following advice obtained from experts in the field, the Maltese government should come up with new proposals to solve these problems, including legislation on divorce, in order to strengthen the Maltese family”.

Ralph Cassar
PRO – Alternattiva Demokratika
The Green Party

For Comments:
Spokesperson for Social Protection & Health: Mary Anne Zammit
mariefrances3 [Email address: mariefrances3 #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] , mob: 99440169

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