Collecti.e.f 8 maars, a coalition of unionists, feminist activists, and committed citizens, is encouraging women and gender minorities to strike this upcoming Friday to coincide with International Women's Day (8 March).
"The main issue lies in the lack of respect for the care sector, predominantly worked by women," Justine Begerem, spokesperson for Collecti.e.f 8 maars, told Belga News Agency.
For the sixth consecutive year, the collective is employing strike action to exemplify that "when women stop, the world stops." They refer to this year as a "critical moment" amidst the approach of European, federal, and regional elections in June.
The collective believes that Federal and Regional Government policies have exacerbated inequality, citing the "insufficient budgetary approach to combating violence against women" and pension reform. Begerem noted that the latter is heavily criticised, especially given that periods in which women stop work to care for their children are not taken into account.
Invisible work
"There have been some steps forward under this administration […] but, even with small measures taken, the underlying political notion isn't right," Begerem claimed. She highlighted lesser pay in the sector and the invisibility of care work performed by women at home.
"This is a job that doesn't receive enough respect despite being extremely important for everyone," Begerem noted. The pandemic demonstrated that care work never stopped, whether in hospitals or looking after children at home. "It's always marginalised because it doesn't yield profit," she underscored, condemning judgement faced by women who choose domestic care roles over employment.
Striking pushes the invisibility of this work into public consciousness. "Not everyone can afford to strike or announce 'today, I'm not caring for my children'", she explained. "Yet, working less or slower is also a protest form. Deciding not to wash the dishes, for example, sparks discussion with partners or friends."
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Leaving work earlier, lengthening breaks, or even hanging an apron on a window are further means of non-strike protest listed by Collecti.e.f 8 maars. The organisation advises women to contact their union if they wish to strike. CSC and FGTB have issued advance notice.
"When we stop, we demonstrate that social life stops," the feminist collective asserted.
Women are also encouraged to join the Global Women's March, which will set off at 17:30 on Friday 8 March from Square Albertine, near Brussels Central Station.
