Hello!
In late Jan/early Feb, you signed this petition to help protect women around the Parc du Cinquantenaire area in Brussels.
Yesterday, as reported by The Brussels Times and BRUZZ, measures were announced to ensure more police patrols, better lighting, lower bushes, the installation of signs at the park entrance and a consultation platform between police zones, prevention services and Brussels Environment. The issue was raised in the police council and with Brussels ministers by Brussels MP Carla Dejonghe, and the petition/topic discussed by local police, mayors and the park’s maintenance company. The petition seems to have reached the discussions it needed to reach.
As I have just mentioned on BRUZZ radio this morning, I’m happy that we have made our voice heard with this petition and that some of the demands have been acknowledged by the relevant people. For this, I would like to say thank you again for signing. As you can see, every signature made a real impact! These new measures are a step in the right direction, but I think we all know there is more much work that needs to be done to tackle this issue at the core.
Last month, I was invited in to speak with Secretary of State Nawal Ben Hamou about these more structural and fundamental changes that need to be addressed surrounding law, culture and education. Nawal and her team were very welcoming and receptive to the petition’s suggestions. She explained what she could directly influence, and what she could ask others to do to help move specific points up the agenda. I was also glad to see their initiative for the next 3-4 years: The Brussels Plan to Combat Violence Against Women.
The support and community around other similar initiatives is also encouraging. The recently-formed campaign for Empowering Women & Public Spaces. The successful online self-defense class that this petition organised for more than 75 people. The Facebook group that provides support for women in Belgium who have experienced any form of sexual harassment, assault, violence or intimidation. Collecti.e.f 8 maars, a feminist group that calls for women's rights and will be striking for the third year in a row on March 8th (International Women's Day).
I hope this petition can act as an important cultural weight that provides policymakers with clear evidence of a wide-scale problem that still affects so many women. The petition now has more than 11,100 signatures and has been featured in many different news, TV and radio channels over the past month. I’m so grateful for the support.
When any new updates arrive, I’ll be sure to spread the word here.
Until then, take care!