(L-R, sitting) Pierre Melina, Mayor of the commune of Pétange; Taina Bofferding, Minister of Equality between Women and Men; Credit: MEGA

Luxembourg's Ministry of Equality between Women and Men has announced a new campaign aimed at raising gender equality awareness.

According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Equality between Women and Men, over the past ten years, Luxembourg is the Member State of the European Union that has made the most significant progress in terms of gender equality.

"I am delighted with this success, which should motivate us to strengthen our efforts in the areas in which imbalances still persist, first and foremost political decision-making at local level", said Minister of Equality between Women and Men, Taina Bofferding.

In Luxembourg, women represent only 16% among mayors and 17% among aldermen.

In order to improve this situation after the municipal elections of 2023, Taina Bofferding has launched a vast mobilisation programme including in particular:

  • advice to political parties in the recruitment of candidates,
  • video testimonials from current representatives to motivate women to get involved in politics,
  • open doors in the municipalities in order to interest the population in municipal policy and gender equality.

It is within the framework of this last action that Minister Bofferding recently visited the municipalities of Pétange, Boulaide, Grevenmacher, Niederanven and Roeser in order to sign a partnership agreement providing, in the wake of the day of doors open days, the organisation of awareness-raising workshops in schools and childcare centres, an evening for the prevention of domestic violence and thematic exhibitions on women's rights and equality.

Minister Bofferding emphasised: "Given their proximity to citizens and the panoply of services offered to the population, the municipalities are key players and privileged partners of the Ministry of Equality between Women and Men in advancing gender equality at the local level.”

Officials from the ministry will be available to municipal officials for information and advice on the levers and instruments available to municipalities to promote gender equality at the local level.

“I wholeheartedly thank the municipalities that have already joined my efforts and I hope that the good practices they have implemented will serve as a source of inspiration for many others,” concluded Minister Bofferding.