Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema says the growing hostility towards women must be met with greater empowerment and solidarity among women. She made the remarks at the Women Unite! conference in Amsterdam, held to mark International Women’s Day.
“There is only one answer to the war being waged against women, and that is: more power to women,” Halsema said.
She noted that although much has improved for women over the years, there are also signs of decline. “The war against women” is visible in workplaces, at home and across society, she argued.
“One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence. Every day, an average of 137 women are killed by a family member, partner or former partner. That is almost one woman every ten minutes,” she said. “These are not just numbers; they are mothers, daughters and sisters.”
Halsema also pointed to economic inequality. Women earn less than men and are less represented in business leadership and family decision-making. According to her, poverty in the Netherlands too often has the face of a woman.
A new and troubling development, she added, is the growing normalisation of intimidation directed at women. Women’s bodies are increasingly politicised, claimed, monitored and punished, she said.
“In our free Western society, we see misogyny spreading and being fuelled,” Halsema warned. “Women’s hatred appears to be becoming a political and economic model.”
Economic inequality
She said she also experiences this personally. “How many times have I been told not to react sensitively when I’m called a whore or when I’m sent to the stake as a witch? Threats of rape are now almost part of the position.”
As a response, Halsema urged women not to allow themselves to be divided. “We must unite, seek each other out and strengthen one another,” she said. “The position of women is not just a concern for women, but for everyone who believes in a free and open society.”
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
