Press Release
March 27th, 2024
The legal anchoring of our Belgian Sexual Assault Centres provides more stability and guarantees their long-term functioning
On Wednesday 27 March, the committee Public Health and Equality approved the draft law to legally anchor the Belgian Sexual Assault Centres. This will ensure the long-term survival of the Centres in terms of organisation, funding and cooperation between hospitals, police and public prosecutors. Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Marie-Colline Leroy said, "This legal regulation is the culmination of years of hard work to expand the Sexual Assault…
Press Release
February 29th, 2024
New tool available to help prevent feminicides
The Institute for the Equality of Women and men is making a new tool available on its website to help professionals in the field detect "coercive control" more quickly. This is important because "coercive control" is usually the step that precedes feminicide. The elaboration and availability of this tool is one of the measures resulting from the Stop Feminicide Act promoted by Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities Marie-Colline Leroy that was voted in late August. In…
Press Release
February 19th, 2024
More than 7% young people make and own deepnudes
41.9% of Belgian young people have already heard of deepnudes, 13.8% of Belgian young people have ever received a deepnude, 12.8% know about deepnude apps and 60.5% of them have already tried to make a deepnude themselves. This is according to a study by the University of Antwerp (UA) of more than 2,800 Belgian young people aged between 15 and 25 years old, commissioned by the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, Child Focus and the State Secretary for Equal Opportunities, Gender…
Press Release
February 15th, 2024
Violence against women: Council and European Parliament reach deal on EU law
The Belgian presidency and European Parliament agreed on a first-ever EU law on violence against women and domestic violence. The new law lays down minimum rules concerning the definition of specific criminal offences and penalties to address this form of violence. It also sets out rights of victims of all forms of violence against women or domestic violence, and provides for their protection.
Press Release
February 15th, 2024
Federal government working on action plan to promote dialogue and coexistence
On Friday 9 February, the federal government gave a mandate to Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Marie-Colline Leroy, to examine how best to implement the action proposals put forward by the eight experts who participated in the Round Table to strengthen dialogue and cohesion in Belgian society. Among the proposed actions: a 'Year of Cultural Diversity' and the creation of a citizens' council with elected citizens who can make recommendations…