The annual Women's Strike will take place on 8 March to promote gender equality. Its organisers, nearly twenty associations under the banner of JIF (Journée internationale des femmes), have met difficulties with securing their usual route from the central train station to Place d’Armes. Due to outbursts during the demonstrations against the government's pandemic-related restrictions, authorities have restricted the perimeter in which the JIF is allowed to carry out its demonstration. Maxime Miltgen, member of the JIF platform, shares her view on the issue.

Mathilde Obert: In a press release, you opposed the route proposed by the city. Have you had any news?

Maxime Miltgen: Lydie Polfer [Luxembourg City mayor] told us that it was neither a definitive refusal nor a favourable opinion for our route. And that in the current situation, the perimeter is to be respected by all events. She wants to see us again on 22 February. We are going to reply to her today, because we have requested a legal opinion.

What does it say?

That there is no legal basis for this regulation! It is possible to appeal against this decision.

What will you do on 8 March if you are refused the requested route?

I can't say yet. Filing an appeal will be an interesting option. In any case, we do not accept to demonstrate in the same area as people who do not share our values and who have been sanctioned because they have violated public order.

How did the last two Women's Rights Day demonstrations go?

Twice, with demonstrations of 2,000 to 3,000 people, we respected health and safety measures. We were orderly and we collaborated well with the police.

Why is it important to march from the station to the Place d'Armes?

Before the perimeter was decided, the majority of the demonstrations took place in the heart of the city. It's about being seen, about being able to go in front of institutions, ministries, the Chamber of Deputies. It's important from a symbolical point of view. Between the Glacis and the Philharmonie, we are in the ‘desert of the city’.

What are your demands this year?

Like last year, equal pay, parental leave for all, reduction of working hours and access to housing. This year we have an additional key demand, against violence against women and girls and the LGBTIQ+ community. We are talking about rape, feminicide.

An issue exacerbated by the crisis?

Feminicide is not recognised as gender violence in Luxembourg and it has been a problem for decades. With the crisis, this violence has increased.

How do housing and working hours play into gender inequalities?

That's where it manifests itself. There is a big problem of discrimination in the housing market, which is difficult to prove, against single parents, often women. Landlords prefer to have single people. Another problem is that women victims of violence, often in a situation of financial dependence, cannot find housing to get out of their emergency situation.

For the reduction of working hours, everyone needs to work less so that household responsibilities can be better divided between men and women.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.