01-04-2025The Hague - On Wednesday, April 2, the Dutch House of Representatives will debate the cabinet decision to completely scrap programs on women's rights and gender equality: from 40 million Euro per year to zero. Hundreds of women's organizations used these funds to stand up for equal rights and against violence. WO=MEN, Dutch Gender Platform and its members call on cabinet-Schoof not to scrap this article. It would be a disaster for, among others, women's organizations that, despite great risks, strive for equal rights.
Women Worldwide Resist Ultra-conservative Regimes
1.1 billion women worldwide do not (or no longer) have the same rights as men. Women and LGBTQI+ rights defenders working for human rights worldwide are regularly attacked with hate, disinformation and anti-gender propaganda. Ultraconservative regimes have already long undermined gender equality, such as women's political participation and access to safe abortion. This affects women in local communities in devastating ways. International support is crucial here.
Investing in gender equality is not only just for people elsewhere, but is also in the Netherlands' interest. McKinsey calculated that investing in gender equality generates as much as $12 to $28 trillion in growth for the global economy. Both developing countries and developed countries like the Netherlands benefit from this. After all, the Dutch economy runs largely on international trade.
Conversely, gender inequality is currently a major cost. The World Bank estimates that violence against women costs up to 3.7% of a country's Gross National Product. That is more than double what most governments spend on education.
In addition, investing in gender equality is important for the stability and security of the Netherlands. NATO has been warning for some time about anti-gender propaganda being used by, for example, Russia as a hybrid war tactic to destabilize societies.
Anne-Floor Dekker, director WO=MEN: "The Netherlands is not immune to the backlash against gender equality and women's rights. We can see this in the huge turnout of women and men at the Feminist March on March 8. People are concerned about their personal freedom and access to equal rights. Right now, we need to support the women in Ukraine, Syria and Turkey who are fighting for democratic values. Just like the girls who are standing up for their rights in Afghanistan and Sudan. They are on the front lines protecting also our lives and freedoms.”
Call to Dutch Government
As part of the European Union, the Netherlands agreed to contribute to gender equality and women's rights in at least 85% of its foreign trade and development cooperation programs. WO=MEN, Dutch Gender Platform calls on the government to abide by this agreement, and to keep support for women's rights and gender equality part of foreign policy.
About WO=MEN, Dutch Gender Platform:
WO=MEN is the largest platform in the Netherlands and Europe in the field of gender equality and women's rights. The platform consists of approximately 58 organizations and 125 professionals, including relief, development and peace organizations, diaspora, trade unions, journalists, academics, entrepreneurs and opinion makers. Together they are committed to equal rights and opportunities worldwide.
For more information and interview requests, please contact:
📞Helene Oudman, Senior Advisor Communication WO=MEN
📧h.oudman@wo-men.nl
📱06-53786705
