Belgium

Governmental equality bodies

The Institute for Equality between Women and Men (IEWM) is the permanent government body responsible for gender equality. Established in 2002 as a semi-independent equality body, in accordance with Article 4 of the 16 December Act, the IEWM has two distinct missions: it is under ministerial control from an administrative perspective and carries out governmental policies but remains autonomous with respect to legal action and the provision of advice to government and other public authorities. As a semi-independent entity, it is both an institutional organisation and an equality body.

Its mandate is strictly set on gender equality issues. Article 5 of the 16 December 2002 Act states that ‘the Institute is responsible for preparing and implementing government decisions and monitoring European and international policies on gender equality. It carries out these missions under the authority of the minister in charge of gender equality policy’ ^[3]. It is responsible for coordinating the fight against gender-based violence, implementing gender mainstreaming at the federal level, and for monitoring policies on equality in employment, and decision-making. It also provides structural support to women's organisations and feminist associations under the authority of the Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity. There are 26 employees specifically allocated to equality body-related activities in the IEWM.

The second key body for the promotion of gender equality is the Interdepartmental Coordination Group (ICG). The ICG is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Federal Plan on Gender Mainstreaming. The first Royal Decree (2010) determined the composition, remit and functioning of the ICG and the necessary qualifications its members must hold. The ICG is comprised of representatives of the federal, community and regional departments concerned. It is chaired by the Director of the IEWM, who also acts as its Secretariat (see section 1.3.2). By virtue of its composition, the group requires the direct involvement of political actors and establishes links between the political and administrative levels. It also facilitates the exchange of good practices among governmental entities. The ICG, a steering committee involving the federal, community and regional offices concerned, and groups of experts participate in the coordination and monitoring of the National action plan against gender-based violence 2021-2025.

The Council for Equal Opportunities between Men and Women has acted as an advisory body for ministries and other organisations (such as the National Labour Council) since 1993^[4]. It draws up reports, conducts research, proposes measures, formulates opinions, and provides information on equal opportunity policy at the request of the competent minister for equal opportunities, at the request of any other federal minister, organisation, individual, group, or on its own initiative.

In addition to IEWM staff, 70 employees are specifically allocated to support gender mainstreaming across all government departments/ministries of the federal entities.

Independent equality body

The Institute for Equality between Women and Men (IEWM) also acts as the permanent independent body responsible for gender equality. The Institute can write independent reports on gender discrimination within the jurisdiction of the entities concerned and provide them with opinions and recommendations on gender equality. It has signed protocols of collaboration with the French Community (2008), the Walloon Region (2009), the French Community Commission (2013), the Brussels-Capital Region (2016), and the German-speaking Community (2016).

In terms of reporting requirements, Article 12 of the law of 16 December 2002 states that: 'The Institute shall submit an annual detailed report on the execution of its mission to the Minister responsible for gender equality policy. The latter shall forward this report to the federal legislative chambers.' The IEWM also submits a biannual report on the Federal Plan on Gender Mainstreaming to the Council of Ministers.

Parliamentary body

The legislative body responsible for gender equality legislation at the federal level is the Commission of Health and Equal Opportunities^[5]. Similar to other commissions, the Commission on Health and Equal Opportunities discusses, reviews, amends and votes on bills and proposals related to women’s rights and gender equality. A report of the discussion and the text adopted by the Commission are then presented to the parliamentary plenary session. In addition to preparing legislative work, the Commission also monitors the government’s action by posing oral questions about its gender equality-related initiatives.

Regional structure

Gender equality policy in Belgium is implemented by both federal and federated authorities, as per both their respective domains of competence and governance level. In Belgium, communities and regions have the same legal power and competence as the federal authority, and thus regional decrees and ordinances have the same value as laws passed at the federal level. Therefore, in addition to federal mainstreaming, state authorities have administrations responsible for implementing gender equality policies under the authority of a minister.

Considerable differences exist between the gender equality policies and government bodies of the various constituent parts of the Belgian State. The relationship between the federal and regional levels is complex in all aspects of administration. This has prevented a joined-up approach to gender equality, resulting in gender mainstreaming strategies being developed independently.

This complex organisation means that regions and communities can work to progress gender equality in all fields of their legal competence. The regions and communities may therefore have their own gender equality bodies.

Consultation with civil society

Women's organisations and feminist associations (subsidised by all levels of government: federal, regional, and local) and, more broadly, civil society, are widely consulted by the authorities on many issues relating to gender equality and tackling the issue of violence against women (VAW). Civil society groups were consulted as part of the development of the Federal Plan on Gender Mainstreaming and in formal consultations on the development and monitoring of the Action Plan to Combat Gender-based Violence 2020-2025.

Women's organisations and feminist associations also participate in conferences and are one of the main target audiences for the dissemination of information and publications issued by the authorities on gender equality.

There are three councils active in the area of gender equality: the Federal Council for Equal Opportunities between Men and Women (CEC), the Walloon Council for Equality between Men and Women (CWEHF) and the Brussels Council of Equality between Women and Men (CEFH)^[6]. The Councils include society organisations and have issued numerous analysis documents in recent years on gender equality and gender mainstreaming^[7]. Moreover, A Gender and Development Advisory Council was created in April 2014 to provide expertise, debate and advice on gender mainstreaming in development cooperation.^[8]

Social partners are formally involved via the Council for Equal Opportunities at the federal level, as well as via one-off projects.