WO=MEN is a
member -based organization. We have about 200 members, of which 50 are civil
society organizations and 150 individual members. These institutional members
are development organizations, peace building organizations, women’s rights, feminist
organizations, but also networks like Men Engage, diaspora organizations,
volunteer organizations and women- led organizations. The individual members
are students, academics, female police or military, journalists, peace activists,
women’s rights activists. It’s a big mixture of people. The secretariat is
located in The Hague, with ten people working here. All of our advocacy and programming
work is done in collaboration with our members. The three main topics that we
deal with right now are: 1) gender, peace and security, 2) gender and
sustainable economy and 3) sustainable support for women’s rights and gender
equality, covering not only financial resources but also political will and
support for women’s rights. We are also the co-coordinator of the Dutch National
Action Plan of 1325, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
STL GFP: What more can be done to
address issues of violence against women on the policy level from a Dutch
perspective?
