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