UN calls on the Netherlands to improve the position of women in education

The Netherlands can still make progress in higher education when it comes to women’s rights, the United Nations states. Legislation, campaigns and additional support could improve inclusivity.

In a new United Nations report, experts assessed the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in eight different countries, including the Netherlands. They call on the Netherlands, among other things, to better combat forced prostitution and to legalise abortion in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, at least in serious cases such as after rape or in the event of significant health risks.

Selection procedures

In higher education too, the Netherlands could do more to promote women’s advancement. The UN would like to see positive discrimination made possible in programmes that select students at the start, particularly where women are underrepresented. The Higher Education and Research Act currently prohibits this.

The UN also points out that women are still underrepresented in science and engineering degrees. The Netherlands should make additional efforts to encourage women to pursue these fields. The campaigns the Netherlands has been running for years in this area (such as Girls’ Day) have apparently not yet had sufficient impact.

Accessible

The researchers also state that pregnant students aren’t supported equally well everywhere; some educational institutions provide better assistance than others. Education is also still not sufficiently accessible for women and girls with disabilities.

The report also highlights rising suicide rates among young women. The UN sees a worrying trend particularly among ethnic and religious minorities and among LGBT women.

The last time the Netherlands was assessed under the Convention was ten years ago. The country has now been asked to respond within two years and to demonstrate that it will take concrete steps to address these issues.