Hedwige Peemans – Poullet

At a time when higher education for women was still considered something exceptional, Hedwige Peemans-Poullet persisted with her entitlement to study history at university and succeeded. She went on to become a fervent promoter of women’s rights and has been active in the feminist movement since the early 1970s. She co-edited the Cahiers du GRIF (GRIF Journal) and later on founded the Université des Femmes (Women’s University) and the Comité de Liaison des Femmes (Women’s Liaison Committee). She became an expert in the field of gender inequalities in social security, and as a result worked for the Commission on Women’s Labour. She has also been involved with the Equal Opportunities Council, in providing advice on such matters to the Belgian federal Equal Opportunities Minister.

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In 2011, Hedwige Peemans – Poullet was one of the 100 exceptional women who got honoured in the Belgian Senate for the celebration of the hundredth edition of the International Women’s Day. She remains one of Belgium’s greatest experts in the field of gender inequalities in social security, and has published numerous publications in this field. Her ardent activism, and support in gender related topics generally, have together contributed to a greater visibility of the persisting inequalities between women and men.