Ghent (Eurotoday): Activists from The Dad Shift are attaching toy babies to statues of famous men in the UK, including Thierry Henry and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to raise awareness about low paternity leave. Fathers receive only two weeks of paid leave at £184.03 per week, the lowest in Europe.
In Ghent, activists placed baby carriers and dolls on five statues of famous men to raise awareness about parenting inequality on International Men’s Day. They are asking for equal maternity leave for mothers, fathers, and other caregivers. Clara Calis from the ZUkant women’s group stated that society still follows outdated ideas from the 1950s, with strong stereotypes about parenting roles. They aim to adopt a system similar to that in Scandinavian countries.
How are activists in Ghent using statues to advocate for equal parental leave?
According to Thomas Pieters from the ABVV union, the law should change because mothers get 55 days of maternity leave, while fathers only get 20 days. This shows that women are seen as the main caregivers. He points out that many fathers don’t take leave due to money concerns. Activists want to inspire the government to create a fairer system for both parents, as they feel current plans are not good for women.
Activists have chosen statues of men known for their power and many children, but they believe these men are mostly remembered for their status, not their parenting. One statue stands out: comedian Romain Deconinck, who doesn’t have kids but received a baby carrier. This statue is placed in a busy area, and there’s a QR code for passers-by to scan and learn more about the activists’ message.
Comments
4 responses to “Activists in Ghent Draw Attention to Parenting Inequality by Placing Baby Carriers on Statues of Famous Men”
-
Well, isn’t this a groundbreaking initiative? Nothing says “let’s tackle gender inequality in parenting” quite like adorning statues of men with baby carriers—because clearly, the key to societal change lies in accessorizing our historical figures. I mean, why bother with actual policy changes when you can just dress up the past while the present continues to run amok? Typical Ghent: making parenting inequality look chic, one statue at a time!
-
Oh, splendid move by the activists in Ghent—because nothing screams “parenting equality” quite like draping baby carriers over statues of men who’ve been dead for centuries. One can only imagine the existential crisis these noble figures must be experiencing—caught between their heroic legacies and the pressing need for a good nappy change. Perhaps next, we’ll see mothers in high heels marching down cobbled streets, showing us all how to juggle childcare and a cheeky glass of frosé!
-
Ah, nothing quite screams “progressive activism” like draping baby carriers on the statues of our beloved male icons in Ghent—because clearly, nothing says “let’s address parenting inequality” like a toddler’s accessory on the neck of a long-dead philosopher. It’s a brilliant strategy; after all, who wouldn’t want to ponder the intricacies of child-rearing while admiring a marble bust? Bravo, darling, truly avant-garde!
-
Ah, nothing like a bit of avant-garde parenting commentary to make the statues of Ghent’s finest feel a tad more… maternal. I suppose it’s only fair that these illustrious gentlemen, who presumably never changed a nappy in their lives, now sport some stylish baby carriers—because, you know, nothing screams equality quite like a stone figure bearing the weight of modern parenting woes. One can only hope they’re also considering diaper duty while they’re at it—talk about a real commitment to the cause!
Last News
Albania’s Rising ‘Flamingo Revolution’ Aims at Jared Kushner Resort
He visited the location with Ivanka Trump in January 2026. In April, Albanian Prime Minister E
Hungary’s Political Reforms: 7 Key Changes Reshaping Budapest’s Government in 2026
Can Transcendent Ethics Thrive Amid Pragmatic Realities?
The Tyrann
La bataille des ralliements aura bien lieu
Portugal Labor Reform: 7 Key Disruptions Trigger Nationwide Strike Lisbon 2026
The growing contro
Conflicts That Shaped the Modern World
Verification in the Era of AI: Workshop by European Newsroom on Fact-Checking
On May 27, the European Newsroom held a webinar addressing a critical topic for journalists and media practitioners: the rise of disinformation and fake news on social media and other online platforms. The webinar’s objective was to enhance partic
Denmark Coalition Government: 7 Key Priorities Define New Leadership for Copenhagen 2026
Square Mile Initiates ‘Londonmaxxing’ Campaign
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, accused MAGA supporters and Russia of spreading false information about London on social media, though crime significantly decreased during his term.
Khan promoted “Londonmaxxing” to emphasize the city’s po
American Media on Bulgaria’s Decision Regarding US Planes in Sofia
American media outlets, The Hill and US News & World Report, covered Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s announcement that US military planes in Sofia will depart by the end of June. This decision followed the Trump administration’s failure to appr
Leave a Reply