Governance
Institut pour l'égalité des femmes et des hommes
The Belgian federal institution promoting gender equality and combating gender-based discrimination.
Definition
The 'Institut pour l'égalité des femmes et des hommes' (Institute for the Equality of Women and Men - IEFH/IGVM) is an autonomous federal public institution in Belgium, created in December 2002. Its core mission is to guarantee and promote gender equality and to combat all forms of gender-based discrimination and inequality. The Institute provides assistance to victims, conducts research, issues recommendations to public authorities, and can initiate legal action in cases of discrimination. It is the primary enforcement body for the Belgian Gender Equality Law of 10 May 2007.