With Brussels bathed in a sunshine that brings warm whispers of spring, it seems a congruent day to dedicate to the women who in many aspects of modern life remain under-represented, paid less, and are victims of violence that is still often overlooked.
It's a day observed around the world but that encourages everyone to think of the place of women in their immediate environment. Certainly, the rights and recognition that a woman in Belgium can expect are much better than in other countries. This has been a conscious effort thanks largely to ardent campaigns such as those that also are put under the spotlight today.
Then again, there's still a way to go. On the gender gap – which compares male/female equality in four criteria: economic participation, educational attainment, health and political empowerment – Belgium has moved in the right direction with now around 80% equality (100% would be parity). This is 10th in the world; Iceland is in the top spot with over 91%.
Other positive measures include the Stop Femicide Act, which puts Belgium ahead of the curve on this front. In politics, women are visible and occupy leading roles with gender equality in ministerial positions. Though in the private sector, just 16% of board members of Belgium's 20 most valuable companies are women.
More broadly, general views on gender roles take much longer to shift and can't be enforced by policies and targets. Attitudes will inevitably change as generations grow older, but there are other fundamental flaws with how we see the world that need to be addressed. One of the most critical is the question of value: how do we calculate what something is worth?
In his 2017 book Out of the Wreckage, British journalist George Monbiot critiques the binary economic lens that dictates how we quantify human activity and extract financial value. Today we account only for the market and the State, a binary approach that totally ignores the two other factors: the commons and household.
Saving the commons for another day, our conception of the household has been entirely erased from what today we assign value to. Moreover, it is a domain often occupied by women. Consider the hours that a mother will spend feeding her family and watching over their welfare, the countless duties that cannot be given a price and aren't even put in an economic frame.
At the same time, activities that do have a direct financial payback are put at the centre of how we allocate wealth and value in society. To highlight the oversight Monbiot quips: “If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire.”
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1. Strikes, events and marches: Women's Rights Week begins in Belgium
Today (8 March) is International Women's Day, and women in Brussels and beyond will mobilise to highlight the gender-based discrimination they face daily. But opportunities to participate in the action will continue beyond today too. Read more.
2. Belgium is a 'defender of gender equality', but still a long way to go
Belgium is often named among the countries that make strides in gender equality. And while the country has made major progress for women's rights – and is even taking the lead in some cases – there is still quite some work to be done. Read more.
3. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 8 to 10 March
Brussels is coming alive with sunnier days and (slightly) warmer temperatures. This spring feeling is reflected in this weekend's agenda, with the Brosella spring festival and other events that will spur locals and tourists alike to spend full days outdoors exploring the region. Read more.
4. Belgium airdrops aid into Gaza as humanitarian system 'on brink of collapse'
Belgium successfully airdropped humanitarian aid into Gaza as the situation on the ground for civilians remains critical, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. Read more.
5. Europe-wide increase in cases of sexually transmitted infections
Europe experienced a worrying increase in cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 2022. Read more.
6. Humiliating and controlling: Campaign highlights other forms of domestic violence
Walloon and Brussels authorities have launched an awareness campaign that highlights that domestic violence is not only physical but also emotional and can involve humiliating or controlling one’s partner. Read more.
7. 8 Jobs Charles Michel Could Do Next
Le Chou is Europe's most dedicated source of news. Catch up weekly on the biggest headlines with our roundup, all with an intentionally inaccurate and satirical streak. Follow live updates on Twitter and watch Le Chou TV on Instagram. Read more.
