Minister of Equality between Women and Men Taina Bofferding spoke about gender equality ahead of the centenary. She celebrated the fact that women have had the right to vote for 100 years, but highlighted that inequalities continue to exist in reality. One example cited by the minister is that woman only make up a quarter of MPs in Luxembourg. She also highlighted the fact that there are only five female government members out of 17.
The press release supplied by the Ministry of Equality between Women and Men outlined the dual importance of the law of 15 May 1919, which revised article 52 of Luxembourg's constitution. Not only did the law have a huge democratic impact in introducing universal suffrage to Luxembourg's citizens, it also marked an important and historic step towards gender equality.
Luxembourg may have been one of the first countries to give women the right to vote, but is far from a role model in terms of political representation, coming 69th in a global ranking of equal parliamentary representation.
Bofferding reiterated that the country is far from having a gender-balanced political participation. As a result, she said the government would be using the anniversary to celebrate women's right to vote as a way of honouring all the women who fought for this right. Whether women fought for their rights in terms of national, European, or local votes, they all showed the same will to engage politically. Bofferding said this "noble gesture" deserved recognition.
On the other hand, the government would use the anniversary to propose a number of activities to highlight the fact that inequalities still exist. Bofferding confirmed that the ministry would focus on young people in organising these activities.
One of the activities suggested by the ministry is a wandering exhibition about the history of women's rights in Luxembourg. The exhibition is currently based in the capital's "Bierger Center". The ministry has also proposed a song competition at the next Screaming Fields Festival and an academic session.
