Improving women’s position in the Dutch labour market

Increasing women’s financial independence

Many women work part-time, or do not have paid work. In some cases this is because they take on a bigger share of household tasks and childcare than men. This means that many women are not financially independent. This can lead to financial problems if they get divorced or their partner becomes unemployed.

Measures to improve the position of women

The government is taking a number of measures to achieve greater equality between men and women in the labour market. These measures include:

Paid parental leave

Since 2022, parents who work for an employer are entitled to 9 weeks of parental leave. This gives them more time to combine childcare responsibilities with work. A parent who is on parental leave receives 70% of their salary.

More women in senior positions

Since 2022 it has been mandatory for large companies to report on their efforts to appoint more women to board positions. Companies share targets and results concerning women in senior positions in the report on gender balance in Dutch companies published by the Social and Economic Council (website in Dutch).  

Employers required to publish salaries

Under the EU Pay Transparency Directive, companies and organisations will be required to share information about employees’ pay so there is clarity about differences in salary between men and women. The Dutch government will introduce a bill on pay transparency to comply with this directive.

Investigate rol women in the media

Women appear in the media less often than men. And, when they do appear, it’s often as a victim or in another stereotypical role. Central government has commissioned the Media Authority to investigate the role of women on television every 2 years (in Dutch).

Funding alliance challenging stereotypes that affect study and career choices

Girls are less likely to choose technical courses, while boys are less likely choose a course or career in the health and care sector or the education sector. As a result, these sectors miss out on talent.

Central government is funding the ‘Becoming Who You Are’ (Worden wie je bent) alliance (in Dutch) to help challenge stereotypes. The alliance works with female role models to help overcome stereotypes about girls and boys’ interests.

Getting more women and girls interested in technology and ICT

The government has made agreements with employers and schools to get more women and girls interested in technology and ICT. These agreements are set out in the 2023 Green and Digital Jobs action plan (in Dutch).

More measures against inequality on the work floor are detailed at Emancipatienota.nl (in Dutch).

Award for women’s equality

The Dutch government wants to promote equality for women. It supports people and organisations committed to equality by awarding The Joke Smit Prize, two prizes which are awarded every 2 years (in Dutch).