Press Release – Organisations Call on the House of Representatives to Make Women's Rights and Gender Equality a Priority

03-02-2026
This appeal is shared amid a growing trend of countries to withdrawing investments and agreements in the field of women's rights and gender equality. Because these issues are no longer considered a priority. Or because they actively oppose them as a part of ultra-conservative agendas. Recently, the Trump administration announced that American funds may no longer be used by organisations, governments and UN agencies to work on equal rights or protect women and LGBTQI+ people. The consequences are enormous: the withdrawal of global support is expected to result in more unsafe abortions and higher maternal mortality rates.  
 
Investing in Women Pays Off 
Equal rights should be self-evident. Investing in women's rights is not only a matter of fairness, but also a strategic investment in stable, safe and prosperous societies. Countries that take gender equality and women's rights seriously – including LGBTQI+ rights – are more democratic and more resilient. Peace agreements with the active participation of women are 35% more likely to last. Companies with women in senior leadership positions perform 21% better. Gender equality is not a niche issue; it is fundamental to sustainable development and democratic governance.  
 
Urgency Needed in New Coalition 
Despite progress in some areas, more than 1.1 billion women and girls worldwide continue to experience gender inequality. In the Netherlands, it is estimated that it will take at least another 40 years before women achieve equal representation in politics. In countries such as Afghanistan, women and girls have virtually no rights at all.  
 
Anne-Floor Dekker, Managing Director of WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform: 
"We are positive about the approach to femicide in the Netherlands, and the increased safety for women and girls in the neighbourhood. The Netherlands is one of the few countries still investing in women's rights organisations in the Global South. But we see that more is needed to stop the large-scale, targeted erosion of equal rights. Our way of life is being threatened at its core. The new coalition invites civil society to collaborate on better policies. We are keen to accept this challenge.” 
 
Ultra-conservative Ideologies 
Researchers warn that removing protection and support for organisations and governments defending women's rights and gender equality creates space for ultra-conservative ideologies. In Europe alone, organisations and groups spreading disinformation about gender equality and women's rights have received €1.18 billion in funding from European, predominantly Russian, sources. 
This has a tangible impact. In the Netherlands, an increasing number of young people believe that women are less suited to work outside the home and consider violence against women acceptable. Of all women murdered in the Netherlands, 80% are killed by a (former) partner or family member. Organisations providing education and information about sexuality and the rights of transgender people face systematic intimidation.  
 
Call to the House of Representatives 
As the new cabinet prepares to take office, the 100 undersigned organisations, companies and political women’s networks call on the new ministers and the House of Representatives to place women's rights and gender equality firmly at the top of the political agenda.  
Together, they urge the government to guarantee the safety of those working to advance women's rights and gender equality, to ensure equal representation of women in politics, to provide sustained financial support for women's rights organisations, and to actively counter false and misleading narratives about gender equality.