NETHERLANDS: ENGAGEMENT ON WOMEN'S ISSUES

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000009 SIPDIS EUR/PGI FOR JIM KUYKENDALL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN XG PHUM NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: ENGAGEMENT ON WOMEN'S ISSUES REF: SECSTATE 124579 ¶1. (U) BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Like most of Western Europe, the Netherlands enjoys a high level of political and economic participation by women. For example, women hold forty-two per cent of the seats in the Dutch House of Representatives, and sixty-five per cent of women are employed. In addition, the Dutch government supports significant programs to address women,s concerns in the areas of domestic violence and health, and in combating trafficking in persons. Women,s rights are also a cornerstone of Dutch foreign development assistance, particularly in Africa and Asia. For these reasons, Mission Netherlands is focused on public diplomacy and outreach programs that both share information about our common effort to address women,s issues and build networks on issues of common concerns (examples in para 2). In addition, the Mission supports international cooperation on women,s issues (para 3). For the future, the Mission intends to build on these efforts and look for additional opportunities (para 4). END BACKGROUND/SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) RECENT OUTREACH INITIATIVES: Dec. 23 -- As part of our Speakers Program, Ms. Margot Badran spoke on "Islamic Feminism: Gender Equality and Social Justice" during a roundtable discussion for Mission contacts at the Consulate General in Amsterdam. Dec. 18 -- Ambassador hosted coffee for the Ethnic Women,s Business Association of the Netherlands for a discussion on workplace diversity; economic empowerment and enhancing economic opportunities for minorities; and social responsibility. The guest of honor at the event was Ms. Hope Masters, President and CEO of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation which promotes principles of self-help, social responsibility, and political, entrepreneurial and intellectual leadership of the African Diaspora and friends of Africa. Nov. 30 -- Mission nominated four women entrepreneurs from Muslim minority communities in the Netherlands to attend President Obama,s Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington in the first quarter of 2010. Oct. 29 )- Embassy staff attended a national conference on human trafficking, reflecting the Netherlands, sophisticated and well-funded efforts to protect women and prevent trafficking. Oct. 21 -- Embassy staff visited the National Expertise Center on Honor-Related Crime, again a reflection of the Netherlands, commitment to women,s rights. Oct. 20 )- Consulate General Amsterdam staff participated in a day-long outreach event sponsored by the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) ) the &Global Campaign to Empower Americans Experiencing Domestic Violence Abroad.8 The Consulate promoted the event on its website and a consular officer spoke to attendees about services provided by the Consulate to U.S. citizens who experience domestic violence overseas. The Consulate distributed resource materials and the AODVC recruited volunteers to assist victims of domestic violence. Oct. 8 )- As part of her orientation and outreach, Ambassador hosted a &Political Tutorial8 lunch with women in leadership positions in the Dutch government, the International Criminal Court, and NGOs. Discussion included ways to promote women in the workforce and attention to women,s issues in developing countries. ¶3. (U) RECENT COOPERATION ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Dec. 3 -- Ambassador and Defense Attache joined a Dutch-Swedish event on women in conflict zones. The Dutch Development Minister gave the opening address. Nov. 25 -) Embassy sent a message to members of parliament and NGOs on Secretary Clinton,s efforts to support women to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Qmark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Nov. 9 -- Ambassador attended ceremony where the Dutch Foreign Ministry,s &Human Rights Defenders Tulip Award8 was given to an Iranian women,s rights activist. Sept. 23 -- The Secretary and FM Verhagen co-hosted a seminar at UNGA to reduce violence against girls. ¶4. (U) AREAS FOR FUTURE COOPERATION: January -- Ambassador will host a &human rights lunch8 for activists, NGOs and MFA officials, which will examine opportunities for following up on the Verhagen-Clinton event in September. January -- The Embassy is engaged in ongoing discussions with a small local NGO, &Gender Concerns International,8 about promoting women,s welfare in south Asia. We are supporting their January 14 conference on women,s issues in South Asia, scheduled to take place in The Hague. Ambassador Verveer will participate in the conference and engage Dutch political leaders, civil society and diplomats on women,s affairs. February -- The Mission will host a diversity conference, primarily focused on ethnic and religious diversity. Women,s issues will be a secondary theme in some discussion sessions at this conference. Spring 2010 -- The Mission and the Dutch MFA are exploring ways to expand our cooperation on development assistance to third countries. This includes promoting women,s rights and education in Africa and Asia. Ongoing Diversity Outreach -- The Ambassador has made diversity a priority and theme of her tenure in The Hague; the Mission will seek opportunities to expand outreach to women as well as other communities. MANN