The missive arrived on the desks of the mayors of the south of the country, initialed by the Walloon Minister for Local Authorities. Its object? Enjoin mayors to feminize the names of streets, roads, avenues, squares and all that their municipality has in terms of public spaces.
The demand is commendable: equality between men and women is not just in terms of wages – the most crucial of battles – that it is observed, it also involves the introduction of symbolic measures which “visibilisent” the women. Especially since for ten streets bearing a man’s name, there is currently only one street bearing a woman’s name in the French-speaking Belgian public space.
GOOD. However, two nuances.
Already, the process is not simple, nor free. Residents who live in an artery concerned must be consulted, because changing the name of their street is obviously a change of address. Which can involve a nice logistical and administrative imbroglio, for a name on a plate that will not concretely, directly, materially improve their daily lives.
Then, it is necessary to think carefully: if our arteries are too masculine, it is because they carry within them a historico-cultural heritage which gave pride of place to men. Wanting to come back seems healthy to us. But wanting to erase it, isn’t that denying our history, excesses included? On the other hand, it is 100% normal that new streets are more often named in tribute to women. Preferably Belgians: from Hélène Dutrieu to Marie Popelin; from Maurane to Annie Cordy (who already has her tunnel) via Angèle; from Sister Emmanuelle to Antoinette Spaak to the Queens of Belgium; from Ulla Werbrouck to Justine Henin, Nafi Thiam or Tessa Wullaert: from yesterday or today, there is no shortage of great Belgian ladies.
Highlighting them in the public space is totally desirable. But we must give this approach objectives at its proper level: unfortunately, this will not make it possible to ensure that women are better considered tomorrow, in their everyday lives.