• Do you think that attitudes have changed in recent years? Have you already noticed concrete actions?

Camille: I think that attitudes have indeed changed in the past years. It’s impossible to not change our attitudes and just close our eyes. People are more aware and are forced to change. Throughout history we have seen many women’s movements focusing on different aspects, recently we have had the #metoo, #TimesUp or even #womenshould. These movements allow women to raise their voices and let the world know about things that were not talked about before. Ignorance is no longer an option. Of course, the actions taken afterwards is another story this depends on different countries, different cultures.

Geoffrey: I think the attitude towards women in the legal sector has improved considerably (although there is still work to be done). I notice, for example, that some law firms are putting policies in place to set up a paid maternity leave. Likewise, law firms are increasingly ensuring that sufficient women are represented at the top levels of their hierarchical structure.

Sébastien: Yes, attitudes have changed in the social life but at work changes are to slow because of the burden of traditions and old school education. At Strelia, we are proud to make mentalities change. We take action every day to offer equal opportunities to woman and men to access partnership and to progress in their careers. We care very much about equality and fight against all forms of inequality.

• What do you think of the place of women in the legal world, are they well considered?

Geoffrey: The legal world is like so many sectors in Belgium. However, when I look at my university peers, professors and legal professionals, I note (and applaud) the increasing representation of women in this sector. Personally, I have known nothing else but female superiors and bosses during my (short) career.

• What do you think should be said to young girls and boys to ensure that the fight against gender inequality continues?

Camille:  One word, education. Education should start from the beginning; I believe that it is crucial that children grow up in an environment where they see that women and men are equal. It seems to me that if they are taught this from the start they will apply and respect it.

Inge: Young people should continue to fight for their rights to be who they want to be. It is important that they are convinced that there is no difference between men and women and that they ultimately complement each other.

Pierre:  I think, first, that the example you give to children is as important as what you say. I have three girls (15, 13 and 10). When my wife announced me that she needed to leave Belgium to work abroad, the situation was very difficult for me because I became fully responsible of three teenage girls while working as a partner. Then, I thought, if we did not make the necessary arrangements so that my wife could work abroad, I would give the image that the career of the father should always prevail. Even though it was not easy, we did it and, at the end, although nothing is perfect, I enjoy my new lifestyle!

Secondly, you can also change the world with what you say. One of my battlefields with my daughters is that STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) should not remain a man’s world. When I discuss with them about the orientation of their classmates, you happen to learn that most of the boys will continue with STEM subjects while they have worse grades on average than girls. On the other hand, most of the girls will decide to give up these subjects before the end of the college. For this reason, I tell my daughters not to give up, not to close any door, as continuing with STEM subjects will make a difference in resolving the structural inequality between men and women.

Sébastien: Young people, you are the best ambassadors against old school behavior, you are the future. Lead by example that gender inequality is already something from the past ! Young colleagues are one of the keys for changing our social and economic life into a fair and equal world.

• Why, according to you, is it important to #EmbraceEquity?

Inge: I think that we shouldn’t even ask us that question as it should be evident. It is really important to EmbraceEquity as human beings can learn so much from one another. We are different and though we are so complementary. We have the same values and education, so there should be no difference between men and women.

• How do you feel as a woman at Strelia?

Camille:  I think that every law firm can improve when it comes to women, the legal world remains at the moment and unfortunately a man’s world even if we are starting to see more and more women. However, at Strelia, I personally work on an almost all women’s team and I find it great.

Inge: When I started working for Strelia a few months ago, I noticed that a lot of women work here. I don’t have the feeling that it is a man's world, in the contrary, women are respected and also respect each other. It is a pleasant atmosphere and I am happy to be part of it.

• Do you think that women are well considered at Strelia?

Geoffrey:  From what I have observed (and heard) thus far, I believe that women are considered well at Strelia. Strelia strives to maintain a good mix among its lawyers in terms of ethnicity, language, culture, … This is especially true in terms of remuneration and gender equality. As a member of a single-parent family, I strongly applaud such initiatives.

Pierre:  I think that women are well considered at Strelia. Given that they significantly outnumber men, women are clearly our future. But, at Strelia, women are also our present. We have indeed women who are senior partners with a very strong business such as Gisèle Roselle, Katrien Vorlat or France Vlassembrouck as well as very promising junior partners such as Joanna Kolber, Stefanie Tack or Vanessa Schmitt. I’m so happy that we can now lead by example in this respect.