Name of organization/institution
The Netherlands Society of Women’s Rights, Female Labour and Equal Citizenship
Organization details
Civil Society Organization
Description of your organization/institution
The Netherlands Society for Women’s Rights, Female Labour and Equal Citizenship was founded on February 8th, 1894, as ‘Society for Women’s Suffrage’. As in 1919 Women’s Suffrage / Universal Suffrage became law in the Netherlands the organization took the name of The Netherlands Society of Female Citizens, which became the Netherlands Society for Women’s Rights in 1931. Since 2003 the WOUW Society merged with the organization. The Society for Women’s Rights has the goal to further the Self-awareness of women about their place in society. We aim to give women an equal say in society as a whole, and to ensure that women are equally represented in all levels and organizations, including government, business, academia, where societal, political or social-economical decisions are made. Furthermore, we aim to create a society where paid and unpaid work is distributed equally over men and women.
Description of your main WPS related activities
Our Vision is that Women should be equally engaged in decision taking in all democratic and political processes. We firmly believe Women are a critical source for stabilisation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and state building. Without the involvement of Women there will be no lasting peace. More importantly we strongly believe and support the place for women and women’s groups at the negotiation table of countries that are planning their rise from the ashes after armed conflicts. As women are more than half the population in any given country they most certainly should be half the delegation that is determining the future of nations in rebuilding a country after war. Our role and expertise centres on making political decision-makers aware of these facts and hold them accountable for their actions, whether that is in national governments, international organisations, and any other governing body. Our organisation has over 125 years of expertise in policy and advocacy and a proven track record of changing laws pertaining to the position of women in the Netherlands. We bring to the attention of national and international politicians the wishes, demands and priorities of women in different countries, particularly of countries in conflict; We hold governments and international governmental organisations accountable to carry out UN SC resolution 1325. Representatives of our organisation have set up programming to force the gender equality in decision-making processes all in order for the voice of women to be heard. Mrs. Dr. Anje Wiersinga, our member and representative, has set up and is chairing an INGO Working Group Gender Perspectives in Democratic and Political Processes at the Council of Europe, which contributes to the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by making the expertise of their members available. Our organisation is actively sharing its knowledge by participating in the different groups and networks, nationally and internationally. We bring to the platform our varied experiences of working within different cultures. We bring to the platform our global network with women’s groups all over this planet stemming from our role in the International Alliance of Women. Our organisation is taking on the role of active participant in the exchange of ideas and experiences, actively seeking to learn from each other and actively supporting sister-organisations.
Strategic outcome
1. Participation - More women hold leadership positions, and women participate equally and meaningfully in decision-making processes at every level in the interests of peace and security, including conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding, protec, 2. Prevention - Conflict prevention and the prevention of violent extremism, including of related violence against women and girls, is based on the human rights approach and starts from the principle of human security. Prevention policy and its implementa, 3. Protection - Women and girls, as well as men and boys, in and from conflict situations, are protected against all forms of conflict-related violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. Their rights are safeguarded and enforceable, 4. Relief, reconstruction and recovery - Meet the needs and contribute to the empowerment of women and girls, 5. WPS Mainstreaming - A gender lens is applied to every reorganisation, improvement, development and evaluation of analysis, policy and policy implementation with regard to peace and security
Sub-outcome 1
1.1 Enhanced enabling conditions for equal and meaningful participation of women and girls, 1.2 Support for meaningful participation women- and diaspora organisations, human rights defenders and peace builders who work on women’s rights and gender equality , 1.3 Peace processes and peace declarations are inclusive and bottom up
Sub-outcome 2
2.2 Countering radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism policies respect operational space of women’s organisations, human rights defenders and peace builders
Sub-outcome 3
3.1 Women and girls have access to security and justice systems, 3.2 Impunity for violent offences against women and girls combatted, 3.4 Gender sensitive, -responsive, -transformative asylum policy
Sub-outcome 4
4.1 Improved physical, mental, psycho-social health of women and girls, 4.2 Improved socio-economic position women and girls, 4.3 Humanitarian response is conflict- and gender -networks sensitive and - responsive; main role for local women’s organisations and
Sub-outcome 5
5.1 Peace and security personnel gender aware; applies gender lens, 5.2 Gender responsive budgetting endeavoured, 5.3 Organisations have positive gender norms; specific focus on role men and boys, 5.4 Improved coordination of actors in peace and security
What type of investments will you make to contribute to the selected outcome(s)?
Advocacy, Progammitic
Country/Region
Europe, Middle East
What is the time frame for your pledged outcome(s) and investment(s)
5 years - 2025