Miet Smet

Miet Smet (born 5 April 1943) is a Belgian politician for the Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V). Career In 1988, Smet became the president of the European Centre for Workers' Questions, a position which she held till 1995. Career in national politics Smet was the founder (1973), and first president (until 1982) of the Christian People's Party political women's organisation, Vrouw en Maatschappij (Woman and Society). She was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives in 1978. In 1985, she became State Secretary of Environmental Affairs, and negotiated an Equal Opportunities portfolio. While Smet's competencies cover all aspects of social emancipation, she focused on violence against women, women's economic position and their participation in decision-making. When Miet Smet became Minister of Labour and Employment in 1991, she kept the Equal Opportunities portfolio.