The Netherlands must provide better support for women in higher education

experts have assessed the implementation of the UN Women's Convention in eight different countries, including the Netherlands, in a new report by the United Nations. The document calls on the Netherlands to combat forced prostitution more effectively and legalise abortion in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, at least in serious cases such as after rape or when the pregnancy poses serious health risks.

The Netherlands could also do more to help women move forward in higher education. The UN would like to see the country apply "positive discrimination" in programmes that select students at the entrance stage, particularly where women are in the minority. Currently, the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act forbids this.

In addition, the UN points out that there are still very few women in the STEM sciences and technical studies in the Netherlands. They recommend that the country make additional efforts to encourage women to pursue these fields. The Netherlands has been running campaigns in this regard for years (such as their Girls' Day campaign), but they are apparently not effective enough. 

Accessible
The researchers also state that pregnant students do not receive the same level of support from all educational institutions: some offer better support than others. Furthermore, education is still not accessible enough for women and girls with disabilities.

Moreover, the report highlights the increasing suicide rates among young women in the Netherlands, particularly among ethnic and religious minorities and LGBTI women, a trend the UN finds worrisome.

The last time the Netherlands was assessed under the Women's Convention was 10 years ago. The country now has two years to respond and demonstrate that it will take tangible steps to address these issues.