Gender inequality

WOMEN dedicate an average of two to four hours a day to household chores while men dedicate only one, according to a new study by Denia Town Hall.

The council is currently drawing up the sixth edition of its Equal Opportunities Plan, and the first conclusion is that there are still large differences in conciliation between work and home life and joint responsibility between the sexes.

The research also reveals the existence of a generational digital gap, as well as addiction to new technologies and a greater fear of ‘sexting’, ie unwanted sharing of intimate and sexual images, especially among young people aged under 29.

Municipal Equality councillor Javier Scotto presented the initial results of the study and highlighted the fact that there is little awareness among young people of both sexes regarding policies to tackle inequality and that many do not even know that there is such as thing as an Equality department at the town hall.

“This proves just how important it is to promote these services,” said the councillor. The study also reveals that there is widespread insecurity regarding nightlife and leisure, and that more education is needed on equality, sexually transmitted diseases and good business practices.

PEGO local council has drawn up a plan to boost and improve green areas around the town.

The move falls into line with European criteria to improve quality of life for residents in towns and cities by making them ‘greener’.

Mayor Enrique Moll presented the plan this week, which focuses on creating an inventory of existing trees, designing a maintenance programme and establishing the guidelines to plant new ones.

Sr Moll explained the difference between this scheme and previous treeplanting drives is this time the council has “avoided the quick option of planting trees indiscriminately,” and that the aim is to study which types of species are best for each area.

In addition, the new trees will be professionally cared for from the beginning, ensuring adequate preparation, growth and maintenance.

The mayor highlighted that this approach will prevent problems such as the case of the western access roundabout to the industrial estate, where lack of planning led to the entire structure having to be rebuilt.

The first stage of the plan is to plant nearly 200 new trees sourced from a local company.

Easter clean-up

CALPE has stepped up the municipal street cleaning services ready for the Easter festivities.

The council has drawn up a special refuse collection plan, with two routes in the morning from Monday to Saturday in and around the town centre and a special collection at the town’s urbanisations on Sunday.

Two municipal teams will collect furniture and other large objects ­ one each for the town centre and the urbanisations ­and two teams will be dedicated to collecting gardening waste.

Road sweeping and cleaning will take place every day from Monday to Sunday in the town.