Belgian trade unions celebrate 20th anniversary of pact on gendermainstreaming
The ILO moderated an event in Brussels which marked the 20th anniversary of the Belgian trade unions’ pact on gendermainstreaming. The signatories of the pact discussed the progress that has been made, and announced new commitments.
4 October 2024
The Belgian trade unions jointly organized an event to mark the 20th anniversary of their pact on gendermainstreaming, in collaboration with the Belgian Institute for the equality of women and men. In the pact, ACV-CSC, ABVV-FGTB and ACLVB-CGSLB pledged to pay greater attention to gender issues and equal opportunities in their daily operations, and to do something about the under-representation of women in their own ranks, setting an example for other organizations.
The event took stock of the progress that has been made over the past two decades, and was moderated by Lieve Verboven, Director of ILO-Brussels. Today, 46% of the representatives on the Belgian trade unions’ governing bodies are women.
Trade unions ACV-CSC, ABVV-FGTB and ACLVB-CGSLB also signed new commitments in a call to make concrete progress on gender equality in Belgium. These commitments include actions to close the gaps between women and men in employment, pay, pensions and care; and stepping up the fight against gender-based violence in the world of work, including through collective bargaining, in accordance with ILO Convention No 190 and Recommendation No 206.
“We have made great strides in these twenty years, but our attention must not slacken. For example, we need to further close the pension gap, and safeguard thematic leave. After all, rights are never definitively acquired; and today women's rights are under pressure again,” said ACV-CSC President Ann Vermorgen.