Area 4: The parliament produces gender-sensitive LEGISLATION
Gender mainstreaming and laws
The Equality Law of 2007 focuses on the right to work, the right to political participation and the right to accede to and pursue a career in the public sector. In these spheres, the law establishes mandatory and positive actions and policies, such as Strategic Equal Opportunities Plans, the creation of an Inter-Ministerial Commission on Equality, the inclusion of gender impact reports in every law or national plan, as well as regular reports on the effectiveness of the law.
Belgium’s Gender Mainstreaming Act of 2007 provides the legal basis for a compulsory identification of government funds earmarked for the promotion of gender equality and therefore lays the foundations for gender-sensitive budgeting. It also imposes a “gender test” for every new policy measure. Furthermore, it compels the federal government to define strategic objectives with respect to gender equality at the beginning of the legislature for every policy area falling under its remit. The act also provides for follow-up and evaluation of these actions.