To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, the feminist advocacy platform JIF (“Journée Internationale des Femmes”) is organising a feminist march in Luxembourg City.
Two weeks ahead of the annual event, JIF held a press conference to outline its key demands, which include greater solidarity and increased resources to combat violence against women, minorities, and children.
During the conference on Thursday morning, JIF representatives emphasised the platform’s mission to advocate for all individuals facing oppression in society.
Milena Steinmetzer, representing the Equality division of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), explained that JIF selects four focus points each year “because there are always so many issues to address”. For 2025, the platform has chosen to emphasise international solidarity, with Steinmetzer noting that the global political climate is “not moving in a good direction for women”, as anti-feminism and other forms of discrimination are on the rise.
Other key priorities highlighted by JIF include social justice and the right to bodily autonomy, as well as the fight against violence targeting women and children.
Steinmetzer reiterated that JIF has long urged politicians to adopt its proposals and reform existing legal frameworks. She stressed that beyond raising awareness, the platform is committed to driving legislative changes and implementing concrete measures to address systemic issues.
One of the international challenges JIF aims to spotlight is the growing prevalence of anti-feminism and hate speech directed at women and minorities on social media.
Meanwhile, Maxime Miltgen, a member of the JIF executive committee, noted that although salary equality between women and men has been largely achieved in Luxembourg, the same cannot be said for pensions.
According to Miltgen, Luxembourg tops the list when it comes to the pension pay gap, with women’s pensions averaging 36% lower than men’s. She emphasised that this disparity is “nothing to be proud of” and must be addressed as part of the ongoing debate on pension reform in the country.
The significant gap in pensions can be attributed to several factors, including the fact that women are more likely to work part-time or take career breaks to care for children or other family members at home.
Participants in the feminist march will gather at 3pm on 8 March at Place de Paris before making their way to Place Guillaume II. At the destination, speeches will highlight the platform’s various demands.
