The new Dutch cabinet has too few women ministers, according to a number of prominent Dutch women who spoke to several media.
Of the 20 ministerial and deputy ministerial positions in the incoming rightwing coalition, only two are likely to be filled by women. The Infrastructure Ministry will be led by Melanie Schultz van Haegen and the Health Ministry by Edith Schippers.
Queen Beatrix
Prime Minister-designate Mark Rutte, who is 43, has surrounded himself with elder statesmen from his free-market liberal VVD party and from the Christian Democrat CDA. There are no ministers or deputies from the anti-Islam Freedom Party, although the party has committed itself to supporting the new minority coalition in the Lower House. The new cabinet is expected to be sworn in by Queen Beatrix on Thursday.
Speaking to the daily AD, Mayor Annemarie Jorritsma of the new town of Almere said, "Half the Dutch are female and that should be visible in politics too." Her views are reinforced by a former Christian Democrat minister, Hanja Maij-Weggen, who said that the men who formed the government failed to look for female candidates. "They are old and wise enough to find a couple of good women," she said.
Strong women
European Union Commissioner Neelie Kroes, a member of Mr Rutte's VVD party, said she was "deeply disappointed. It is most regrettable. This cabinet in particular needs strong women." She called for a minimum number of female cabinet members.
"They are there, no doubt. One third of the current European Commission is female. [European Commission] President Barosso specifically stated he wanted a large female presence so he went looking for female commissioners," Ms Kroes told Dutch broadcaster NOS. "Naturally, he had no difficulties in finding them".
"It's so much more efficient if you work in a diversified team", she added. However, she has no plans to return to The Hague to take up a cabinet position herself. "I simply can't leave my job in Brussels, which is far too important to give up".
Medieval times
Ciska Dresselhuys, former editor-in-chief of feminist monthly Opzij told reporters, "It's back to mediaeval times. I hadn't expected this from a young prime minister like Mr Rutte, who holds his old mother in such high esteem". And never one to mince her words, Edith Snoey, chair of the AbvaKabo union, denounced the lack of women in high positions as "ridiculous".
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Well done Rob: please give us also your view on quota. You seem to be an intelligent and well read journalist!
Well done, Rob! You give us a broad perspective on the women unfriendly Rutte. And now a nice article about quota!
if a woMan is the best man for the job... she'll get it ; surely it's a matter of ability
In my opinion the the sole criteria for forming a cabinet should be strictly merit, without taking gender in view. You want a govt who works and not the cabinet that looks good. Rutte must have a reason to choose his men/women for his cabinet.
This Cabinet is entirely dependent on a fanatic and people are surprised it isn't representative?!