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 Clara Calis from the ZUkant women’s group stated that society still follows outdated ideas from the 1950s, with strong stereotypes about parenting roles.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
UK to Hold Budget on Oct. 28, Chancellor Announces
Healey also promised that the budget will transfer “money and power out of Westminster, distributing it across every area in Britain
Summer Skiing: Why Not?
It is the height of summer….. so what better time for a spot of skiing?
Of course, we normally associated the sport with winter but it is a great activity at any time of the year.
And there is one venue in Belgium where that is particularly the case: The Ice Mountain Adventure Park.
Not only are the slopes there relatively quiet right now but there are some really terrific offers available for t
Sentimental Value: A Movie Review
Joachim Trier explores family dynamics through stories and silences
Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is a thoughtful family drama that delves into estrangement, artistic legacy, and the fine line between truly understanding someone and turning them into mere content. Reuniting with screenwriter Eskil Vogt and actor Renate Reinsve, Trier tackles reconciliation while acknowledging that recognitio
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Accuses Palantir of Skirting Procurement Regulations
The statement alleges the Met Police intentionally bypassed getting approv
Berlin Exhibition Highlights the "Endurance of Eugenic Ideologies"
European artists from Sweden, Hungary and Slovakia are set to exhibit their work at a new exhibition in Berlin.
It is titled “You Are All Our Children in One” and it examines how the logics of racial classification, forced sterilisation, and biological determinism that underpinned the Nazi genocide of Roma and Sinti “did not end” with the war but “continued to shape policy, science, and publi
EU AI Act Enters Key Phase
Europe’s AI Rulebook Enters Enforcement Phase on 2 August
The EU’s AI Act takes effect on Sunday, bringing key rules for high-risk systems, transparency, and accountability into force. This marks a shift for businesses and authorities: compliance must be practically demonstrated, while regulators are scrutinized for consistent enforcement across 27 states.
Effective since August 2024, the regula
EU Iran Sanctions 2026 Target Iranian Judges and Key Cyber Group Leader
Brussels, July 24 Eurotoday Newspaper — EU Iran sanctions 2026 have expanded after the European Union imposed new restrictive measures on five Iranian judges and a senior figure linked to the Ashiyane cyber group. The sanctions were announced by the Council of the European Union and cite alleged human rights violations and cyber-related activities. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans
Ceuta Crisis: 22 EU Leaders Challenge Spain’s Sánchez on Migration Policy
Mélenchon Challenges the Franco-German Partnership
Russia Anticipates New Trump Proposals Amid Focus on US-Russia Relations
Moscow, July 24 Eurotoday Newspaper — US Russia relations remained under international scrutiny after the Kremlin confirmed it would wait for new proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump before responding to any renewed effort to end the war in Ukraine. Russian officials said no formal diplomatic initiative has been received and stressed that any future peace framework would be evaluated only
Leave a Reply