Led by the Maison des Femmes de Schaerbeek, the Bricoladies initiative is using DIY projects to confront and reshape gender stereotypes in Belgium about some occupations being "men's jobs".
In collaboration with Les Débrouillardes and the work-based training workshop "Jeunes Schaerbeekois au Travail" (JST), the project's goal is to dispel the notion that certain skills are inherently gender-specific.
Through a series of workshops led by specialists, Bricoladies introduces women to manual tasks in male-dominated fields such as electricity, plumbing, carpentry and mechanics. The project hopes to inspire unemployed women and those seeking vocational redirection to pursue advanced training and cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency.
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The triumph of the Bricoladies project is evident, with a hundred women participating in the DIY workshops within a single year. Alain Herdies, the director of the JST training centre, underlined in a recent RTBF interview that approximately 20% of individuals express a keen interest in resuming training through this initiative.
By arming women with tools and knowledge to excel in fields traditionally dominated by men, Bricoladies champions a more inclusive and equal society.
