Belgium makes 25 commitments to action, in external and internal policies

With 25 commitments to act, covering both its external and internal policies, Belgium steps it up for gender equality and women’s empowerment. While continuing its strategic partnership with UN Women, Belgium will adopt a new gender strategy for its development cooperation. Domestically, all government levels will adopt, implement and evaluate gender mainstreaming legislation or methods. Furthermore, a sixth national action plan on the fight against gender-based violence is being developed in line with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This Convention will be ratified by Belgium as soon as possible and without formulating any reservations. Its legislation on gender discrimination will be evaluated and adapted and awareness-raising campaigns on gender discrimination and stereotypes and their consequences will be launched. Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said: "Twenty years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the time for balance sheets is over; we have to move towards concrete and accelerated implementation." [ Speech | commitment ]