Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The feminist & Belgian politician Miet Smet dies at 81. Best known for her activities in the 1980s and 1990s, Miet Smet was actively engaged in women’s rights and equality, with specific roles as State Secretary and Minister of Labor. Her legacy lives on with political representation by women, and her death marks the loss of a trailblazer in Belgian politics.
Miet Smet died at the age of 81. She is a legend in Belgian politics, she was a great advocate for women’s rights. Indeed, her death has showered flowers and tributes upon this trailblazer for female equality and women’s interests in politics.
Politician Smet of the CD&V left an indelible mark on her career in the 1980s and 1990s, when she was State Secretary for Environment and Equal Opportunities and later Minister of Labor. Progressive opinions and efforts to overcome all obstacles for women in politics made her a public darling, with CD&V Chairman Sammy Mahdi proclaiming her “the greatest feminist our country has ever known.”
“In the macho world of many decades ago, she stood fearlessly on the barricades for women’s rights and more equality between men and women,”
Mahdi observed,
underlining Smet’s pioneering achievements in enhancing the role played by women in political life.
“Miet has inspired an incredible number of people, including myself. Her unparalleled commitment, her passion and her knowledge of the dossier deserve only admiration and the greatest respect”
Her influence cut across political roles.
According to Wivina Demeester,
“An influential CD&V politician and one who worked alongside Smet, the former politician played a very important role during her stay in augmenting the population of women in politics.”
“She has done that very strongly and has given many women opportunities. During that period, the number of women in politics has also grown strongly,”
said Demeester.
Former CD&V leader Marc Van Peel was full of praise for Smet as
“progressive in many ways.” “She was progressive in terms of the environment, in terms of equal treatment of men and women. And she helped ensure that the Deurganckdok was accepted in the Waasland, now the largest container terminal in Europe.”
Van Peelhe said.
Flemish Minister Hilde Crevits also paid tribute, recalling how Smet’s mentorship helped shape her political career.
“Miet taught me never to remain silent in politics and always to believe in myself,”
Crevits said.
“Her legacy as a champion for women in politics will never be forgotten.”
Her influence on Belgian politics was much more than gender equality but rather her unrelenting zeal for political reform. Leona Detiège, former socialist leader, shared how she collaborated with Smet in pushing the cause of the women’s movement. Smet’s work helped increase women’s presence in parliament.
Smet’s death is the end of a great political career that changed the face of Belgian politics. Her legacy, especially in empowering women, will continue to inspire future generations.
Late Smet Minister of Labor has made such a huge impact in formulating policies for SMEs within the EU has left us with the same impression.
She was an advocate for simplification of red tape and finance opportunities within the Small Business Act, promoted innovation by supporting programs such as Horizon 2020, and called for funding initiatives, like COSME.
Smet also underlined transformation through digitalization and sustainability, putting SMEs up to date with modern challenges and making them more competitive through employment and innovation.
