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citizens’ consultationResults - How can we reconcile parenthood and work in Belgium?

Consultation initiated by:
  • Degroof Petercam Foundation
  • Consultation ending date : 30 Jun 2024
  • Proposals : 665
  • Participants : 11,356

Total number of votes

: 176,136 out of 150,000 votes (117%)

What can we take away from the consultation?

The top popular ideas, grouped into 3 themes

The best citizens’ proposals are grouped into big ideas that structure the consultation. To classify these ideas, the Make.org algorithm takes into account the votes 'I agree' and 'I disagree' as well as any use of the terms 'Favourite', ‘Realistic’, 'Obvious' and 'Nonsense!'.

  • Improving parental leave policies

    90% I agreeFavourite 34% Realistic 14%

  • Adapting work schedules and corporate culture to family needs

    89% I agreeFavourite 30% Realistic 13%

  • Providing additional days off for parents to address daily family needs

    89% I agreeFavourite 26% Realistic 15%

  • Improving breastfeeding leave policies

    82% I agreeFavourite 21% Realistic 17%

Mapping of the debate

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  • Item 1 of 1

    Cited topics

    Cited topics
    NameValue in percentage
    Parental leave25%
    Work schedule and flexibility19%
    Inclusive family support services16%
    Childcare accessibility and affordability15%
    Employer policies & corporate culture12%
    Financial support for families10%
    Awareness and advocacy9%
    Education system evolutions8%
    Others3%

Most controversial proposals

“Controversial” ideas reflect a significant division in society: they are both strongly supported and strongly rejected.

  • Proposal from: Alice
    Proposal content

    Parents should be able to take as much parental leave as they deem necessary before starting school.

    41% 'I agree'44% 'I disagree'

  • Proposal from: Jaja
    Proposal content

    We need to give grandparents a "status" in terms of rights and duties for those who want it, with possible adjustments to working hours.

    38% 'I agree'39% 'I disagree'

  • Proposal from: Felix
    Proposal content

    Vouchers for babysitters (once a week for a few hours) should be provided to give parents a break from parenthood.

    42% 'I agree'34% 'I disagree'

  • Proposal from: La Ligue Des Familles
    Proposal content

    Parents who can't find a space at a crèche when they need one should be financially compensated.

    49% 'I agree'32% 'I disagree'

Consultation’s participants

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  • Item 1 of 3

    Participation by region

    Participation by region
    Votes (Value in percentage)General population (Value in percentage)
    Flemish region58%58%
    Walloon region28%32%
    Brussels-capital region14%10%
  • Item 2 of 3

    Participation by age

    Participation by age
    Votes (Value in percentage)General population (Value in percentage)
    16 - 242%14%
    25 - 3435%15%
    35 - 4431%16%
    45 - 549%17%
    55 - 6411%16%
    65 +12%22%
  • Item 3 of 3

    Votes by gender

    Votes by gender
    NameValue in percentage
    Men16%
    Women83%
    Non binary1%

Context

Citizen consultation carried out by Make.org from 2024-05-06 to 2024-06-30, around the question: How can we reconcile parenthood and work in Belgium?

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Download the full report

To obtain the full analysis report for this consultation, click on the button below.

Download the full report

What are the highlights of this consultation?

  • Citizens’ consultation

    From 6 May to 30 June 2024

    All our consultations begin with a call for ideas and citizens’ votes.

  • Citizens’ workshops

    Early November 2024

    Workshops bringing together citizens, civil society associations and experts to provide answers to the citizens’ priorities.