Amazone
Amazone absl/vzw is an organization focused on the intersection of different feminist and broader gender organizations. We are a place of encounter, dialogue, information gathering, sensitization and awareness-raising. We keeps tabs on some of the most important movements in Belgium that shape the feminist movement and try to create space and platforms for them to thrive.
Who's involved in it ?
Our team exists of several people who work in different branches of the organization.
Amazone’s organization is multiplex and is occupied with the accommodation of different feminist movements, a social restaurant, a congress centre, an information and documentation centre and project organization.
In the building of the Middaglijnstraat, different feminist movements have their physical office/ workspace or come together for workshops/conferences. There are about 20 movements in the building. They do not work for Amazone directly but are inherently linked to the daily activities of Amazone.
In the social restaurant are people employed who find difficulty finding jobs on the labour market. About 10 people work here.
In the information & documentation centre is where information is gathered about gender policies in Belgium. This centre works closely with the communication and project branch of the organization. 2 people are working here and at the head of the structure stands the directress.
Another 5 people work for the organization at the reception, and there are 6 all-round employees (cleaning personnel, office manager, HR manager).
In short, more than 20 people work for Amazone absl/vzw.
What’s your origin story and your motivation?
Amazone was founded in 1995 on the initiative of former Minister of Equal Opportunities Miet Smet. The mission was to create a ‘crossroads’ of feminist thought, physically and intellectually, and to raise awareness and visibility of all actors for gender equality and to actively connect them.
What are some of your favorite spots in Brussels?
Bib Josse and the BTGE fund + AVG/CARHIF (they do feminist expos and manage LGBTQIA+ funds) + elles tournent (they have a feminist festival and cinema club called “ells s’engagent) + Théâtre de la Vie (they show compelling plays, ‘Queeriosity’ is one example).
Could you describe the accessibility of your space?
Amazone is located in the community of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. The building is well accessible by public transportation, several buses drive from Brussels Central & the North station. There are also parking spaces for cars in the street.
The building itself is not yet completely wheelchair accessible. There are elevators as well as stairs, it has an open atmosphere, with a lot of natural light in the building. There are a variety of chairs, tables, in the common areas as well as the conference rooms.
Where can we find you virtually and/or physically?
FR: Rue du Meridien 10, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode; NL: Middaglijnstraat 10, 1210 Sint-Joost-ten Noode .
Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00
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Amazone absl/vzw, 2022
