Feminism in Luxembourg: equality, violence and the role of men

Following a guest article in the Luxemburger Wort by Democratic Party politician Gérard Schockmel, who wrote that feminism aims to “systematically discriminate against men”, gender equality campaigners in the Grand Duchy spoke about what the movement means to them.

“Feminism is a movement that advocates equality for all genders,” Isabelle Schmoetten who heads the charity Women and Gender in Luxembourg (CID Fraen an Gender) told the Luxemburger Wort.

Isabelle Schmoetten is the head of the charity Women and Gender in Luxembourg. © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli/LW-Archiv

“Feminism is humanism,” said Claudine Speltz from the National Council of Women in Luxembourg (CNFL), an umbrella organisation of different women’s organisations.

“It’s about treating every person in such a way that they can exercise all their rights,” she told the Luxemburger Wort.

Luxembourg granted women suffrage in 1919 and abortion was fully legalised in 2014.

But activists still feel more needs to be done to advance women’s rights.

“There is still a lot of work to be done in the area of gender-based violence,” said Schmoetten. “It is still trivialised, not taken seriously and presented as a private problem,” she added.

Schmoetten also thinks that authorities such as courts and the police service could do more to tackle violence against women and girls.

Claudine Speltz is treasurer of the CNFL and has already held the office of president twice © Photo credit: Emilie Di Vincenzo/LW-Archiv

“I hear from my colleagues who work in the field that women who want to report a rape to the police are asked whether they really want to do so because they will then ruin the perpetrator’s life,” said Schmoetten.

Education on gender in mainstream education

Activists said greater education on gender could also advance feminism.

“We are calling for gender-sensitive education,” said CNFL’s Schmoetten, adding that “education to respect others” is also important and should start early.

The former president of the National Council of Women in Luxembourg thinks that education on gender can have an effect outside of the classroom, as well as suggesting that parents can play a role in educating their children.

“Feminism also means sharing responsibility. When a child sees both parents sharing the household chores at home, it shapes the child,” Speltz said.

For Milena Steinmetzer, a member of the women’s department of the OGBL union, Luxembourg’s ministry for equality and diversity should be responsible for gender equality. “But actually, all ministries should bear this in mind. All political decisions must be considered from a feminist perspective,” she added.

Is feminism a movement against men?

Despite Schockmel’s article claiming that feminism aims to discriminate against men, Schmoetten said the aim of the movement is actually to “dissolve the patriarchy, not [to] replace it”.

Schmoetten also sees no signs that Luxembourg is moving towards an extreme feminism that wants to establish a matriarchy.

Men in the feminist movement

“Feminism must include men. Without the co-operation of different actors, gender equality will not be achieved,” said Speltz.

Gilbert Pregno, former president of the Consultative Human Rights Commission of Luxembourg, added that “women should not be left alone in their commitment to equality”.

Pregno also thinks that men can benefit from the emancipation of the sexes just as much as women, as it can get rid of male stereotypes.

”We need men in the fight for women’s rights,” Schmoetten concluded.