Partner choice
Marriage
Family planning and contraception
Every woman or girl in Belgium has the right to use contraception. Girls under the age of 18 do not have to inform their parents if they use the contraceptive pill or another method of contraception.
Adoption
Adopting a child means that you become the legal parent of a child who is not your biological child.
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation is forbidden by law in Europe.
Honour-based violence
In Belgium, committing honour-based violence or helping with it in any way (being an accomplice), is forbidden by law. It can be punished with up to 25 years of imprisonment.
Gender equality
Harassment, threats, insults or violence because of someone’s biological sex, sexual orientation or gender are forbidden by law.
What are sexual and reproductive rights?
Sexual and reproductive rights are part of human rights. Human rights are written down in laws and international treaties, and have been signed by almost every country in the world.