Gender equality at ULiège

ULiège's Gender Contact Person (PCG), Éléna Chane-Alune, has produced the annual report on the state of gender equality at our university for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The 2023-2024 report presents a numerical analysis of the distribution of men and women at all levels, from enrolment as a^1st bachelor to the rank of full professor, not forgetting councils and other decision-making bodies. It also presents effective actions in the management of the University, as well as in its research and teaching missions, aimed at reducing discriminatory factors based on gender and upholding the values of respect and equality within the university community.

On the occasion of March 8, International Women's Rights Day, you will find here an overview of the report's trends in figures, as well as various actions and resources available, developed in particular by ULiège's Gender and Equality Council, aimed at combating gender-based inequalities.

Findings

A comparison of the academic years 2012-13 and 2022-23 shows that the so-called "glass ceiling" is still present: the higher up the academic ranks you go, the fewer women you find. For example, just over a quarter of regular professors are women, while 59% of the student body is female.

These disparities can be explained in part by the fact that too few women apply for promotion or recruitment. However, we also need to look at the factors that can lead to this situation: persistent gender biases in selection criteria and at various stages of the procedure contribute to women's lower sense of legitimacy within the university. Correcting these biases and boosting women's legitimacy and confidence is one way of overcoming these disparities.

The figures show that inequalities also manifest themselves in a number of decision-making bodies. Our Board of Directors is only 27% female, the CURE 30%, the Sector Councils for Research and Development 33% on average, and the CURV 38%.

Although the figures show a slight improvement over the last 10 years, a major disparity persists. This calls for in-depth reflection on the practices of the boards and commissions responsible for evaluation, on the criteria for promotion to the highest ranks, and a study of the impact of this disparity in terms of justice and scientific production. Indeed, this unequal distribution of men and women has concrete repercussions on the production of knowledge in terms of content and epistemological positions.

ULiège recognizes the existence of these gender disparities and inequalities, as well as the importance of combating them. Nor is it unaware that within its walls, as in society as a whole, there exists violence based on gender (and other identity-related criteria), whether psychological, physical or even sexual. ULiège is therefore clearly in favor of a policy of equality, diversity and inclusion based on the proposals put forward, in particular, by the Conseil Genre et Égalité (CGE), a participatory institutional body led by Florence Caeymaex, Ethics and Equality Policy Advisor.

Priority actions

From the action plan proposed by the CGE in 2023, under the impetus of Rectrice Anne-Sophie Nyssen, a dozen concrete priorities were identified and presented to the Board of Directors on September 18, 2024. They now form part of the Institutional Strategic Plan. The CGE, in collaboration with the authorities, administrations and departments concerned, is doing its utmost to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible on these various projects:

• Visibility and improvement of internal procedures for combating gender-based and sexual violence (SGBV) and harassment.
• Institutional awareness-raising campaigns on gender-based and sexual violence on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
• Drafting of an ethics charter anchored in a policy of equality and scientific integrity, in collaboration with the CEIS.
• Feminization of the names of classrooms at the University, to increase the visibility of women in the university public space and symbolically align the principles of gender equality with the Institution's teaching and research missions.
• Promotion ofgender equality in professional careers.
• Support for parenthood for staff and students, including reducing the impact of motherhood on studies or careers, crèche facilities, facilities for parents, etc.
• Training courses for the entire university community on gender bias, deconstructing stereotypes, gender-based violence, current legislation in this area, possible approaches at ULiège, etc.
• Awareness-raising and prevention against LGBTQIA+phobias.
• Raising awareness of safety issues/reinforcing the feeling of safety, particularly for students at festive events, safety on campus, etc.
• Implementation of a gender data monitoring system at ULiège, to work on objective data.

The annual report publications demonstrate the positive effects of the measures put in place to counter gender-based inequalities. These advances are important in building a more egalitarian society for all.

Documents at your disposal

Report 2023-2024 on the state of gender equality at our university * (PDF - 02/25 )

CGE position: proposed action plan (PDF - 04/24)

Violentometer, a tool for identifying inadequate relationships *

Violence and harassment: possible approaches *

2022-2023 report on the state of gender equality (PDF - 02/24)

Recruitment bias (video)