Diversity of Flemish civil service continues to increase
The staff of the Flemish government is becoming more diverse every year. Between 2020 and 2023, there were rises in the proportion of women in middle management positions as well as staff members of foreign origin or with a disability or chronic illness.
The government has been setting targets for diversity in its workforce for almost 10 years. Its initial aim was to have 10 per cent of staff from foreign backgrounds, 3 per cent with a disability or chronic illness and 40 per cent women in middle and senior management positions.
The target for staff of foreign origin was met in 2020, when the figure was 11.5 per cent. This grew to 13.9 per cent in 2023.
"This is a sign that sustained efforts are needed to achieve gender equality at the highest level"
The latest figures were given in response to a parliamentary question from Bert Maertens of N-VA to Home Affairs minister Hilde Crevits of CD&V.
There has been a clear increase in the proportion of women in middle management positions, from 39.4 per cent in 2020 to 43.5 per cent in 2023. However, in the highest positions, there was a decline from 29.7 per cent in 2020 to 26.8 per cent in 2023.
“This is a sign that sustained efforts are needed to achieve gender equality at the highest level,” Maertens said.
The percentage of employees with a disability or chronic illness is gradually approaching the target of 3 per cent, rising from 2.3 per cent in 2020 to 2.6 per cent in 2023.
Maertens: “The target is within sight, but the Flemish public services must not rest on their laurels.”
#FlandersNewsService | The Flemish government's main administrative office in Brussels © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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