This article was originally written on 22 April 2008 and published on blog.luxzenburg.org. It is republished here as a historical document and reflects the author’s ideas at the time of writing.
The Dutch like to think of the Netherlands as an enlightened nation — a beacon of civilisation in a sea of outdated, backward ideas. We were, after all, the first to give same-sex couples the right to marry, the first to legalise euthanasia. So we must be progressive! But is this really the case? Are we truly as emancipated as we think?
Recently in the Netherlands, the debate flared up again over whether, following Norway’s example, we should introduce quotas for businesses and politics requiring at least 40% women in senior positions. The PvdA agreed with FNV chair Agnes Jongerius that it would be a good idea. The Christian parties CDA and CU were against — officially because the benefit had not been proven, in the words of CDA Minister of Social Affairs Donner.
The question is: has the benefit not been proven? After introduction in Norway, the share of women at the top of business rose to more than 35%. In the Netherlands, fewer than 10% of senior leadership positions are held by women. Overall female labour participation also lags behind European averages. Even Mediterranean countries, known for their macho culture, are ahead of us.
Whatever excuse is offered — they remain excuses. We can only conclude that we grant equal rights to gay people while still holding women back. Women structurally earn less than men in equivalent positions. The Netherlands has fewer female ministers than other European countries. We lecture Muslim-majority countries on women’s emancipation — yet we have never had a woman as head of state. Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia have. Who are we to lecture them?
And then today: newspaper Dag reports on the new Spanish cabinet. Of 17 ministers, 9 are women, including Carme Chacón — the seven-months-pregnant Minister of Defence. Spain has a strong macho culture. Until 1974 women had no rights there; after the transition from Franco’s dictatorship to democracy, that changed rapidly. Spain only joined the European Union in 1986. The Netherlands refused until 1984 to implement the European rules for equal treatment of men and women.
It needs to be said, plainly: we are a hypocritical country that only respects women’s rights under international pressure. We do not give them equal opportunities and have no will to advance them. Childcare is too expensive, we argue — Scandinavian countries have therefore made it free. Men receive fewer days of leave after births and cannot make use of care leave as women do. In short, there is a distinction between men and women, and politics is neither willing nor able to address it.
Where are the women protesting this? Or do they, like Spain, need a man to grant them equal rights?