A nationwide rally will be held in Brussels on 8 March to mark the International Women’s Day of Struggle for Women’s Rights.
Organised by the international feminist and anti-capitalist movement World March of Women, the demonstration aims to raise awareness about the "concerning setbacks" in women’s rights and the "rightward shift in society and politics."
The theme will be "What is the impact on women of the ‘additional budgetary efforts for new and necessary policies’?", which is in response to the public spending cuts proposed by Arizona.
As an example, they criticise the flexibilisation of working hours, which will disproportionately affect "flexi-jobs, temporary workers, or part-time roles, predominantly held by women."
The rally also aims to demand the total decriminalisation of abortion, the strengthening of social protection, the recognition of migrant women’s rights, the fight against all forms of gender-based violence, and the systematic integration of gender equality in all public policies.
"We call for the implementation of a sustainable economic policy where human life, collective well-being, effective equality of rights, and environmental respect take precedence over market mechanisms, productivism, and the profit of a privileged few," states the World March of Women.
Starting at 11:00 on Saturday, a "feminist village" will open at Albertine Square in Brussels, where various associations will present their activities through stands, workshops, and exchange spaces.
The demonstration will begin at 15:00, forming a loop through the streets of Brussels, and will return to Albertine Square by 16:30.
Last year, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital to defend the rights of women and gender minorities.
Common trade union front calls for action
The three trade unions have called for a national day of action on 8 March to coincide with International Women's Day.
The joint trade union front supports the women's strike initiated by the Collecti.e.f 8 maars.
According to the General Federation of Belgian Labour (FGTB), the Arizona government is "blind to the reality of women". It argued that the first official photo of the new federal government barely shows the female ministers, reflecting how the De Wever-Bouchez administration overlooks women's issues.
The FGTB criticises the increased flexibility and reduced oversight of part-time work. They claim that women in the workforce face a higher risk of exclusion, unequal treatment, and discrimination.
Ahead of 8 March, the FGTB calls for the widespread application of CCT 35 for all part-time workers who wish to increase their hours to full-time employment. They also advocate for improved recognition of career breaks and parental leave, strengthened public services essential for women's emancipation, such as childcare and healthcare, and the full decriminalisation of abortion.
The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC) is focusing its campaign this year on women's health at work. The CSC demands recognition of the strenuous nature of women's work, the implementation of gender-sensitive prevention policies, an end to the taboo around menstruation and menopause at work, and the limitation of overly flexible working hours.
The trade unions align themselves with the Collecti.e.f 8 maars movement, which is calling for a feminist strike against the Federal Government.
