Resumen de Belgium: : New act addresses sexism in the public space
A highly controversial act has been adopted in Belgium to address sexist gestures and acts in the public space. A prison sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to EUR 1000 can be imposed for �any public gesture or act, which is obviously intended to express contempt vis-à-vis a person because of his or her sex or, for the same reason, considers a person as inferior or reduces the person to his or her sexual dimension and which results in a serious infringement on the dignity of that person�. The act also amends the Law of 10 May 2007 to combat discrimination between women and men by incorporating two articles in relation to discrimination on the basis of gender. The rationale for the adoption of the act, according to the Explanatory Memorandum, is that sexism is a widespread phenomenon, which cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
