Emancipation Monitor 2004

Women's emancipation is a process that can no longer be stopped. Women will go to work more and will ascend the careers ladder to the most senior positions. This was the prediction of Aart Jan de Geus, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, at the 'M/V@ De Toekomst' ('M/F@The Future') event, organised to mark 25 years of emancipation policy (November 2003). The Minister made an exception for a proportion of ethnic minority women, where the emancipation process has sometimes yet to begin. Is the Minister right? Has the emancipation of indigenous women, though not yet complete, passed a point of no return? And is the position of ethnic minority women really so much worse?
The Emancipation Monitor 2004 presents an overview of developments as well at the current status of the emancipation process in the areas of education, paid work, unpaid work and care, income, violence against women and political and social decision-making. It also looks in more depth at the underrepresentation of women in senior positions. The role of the employer in this regard is examined, as well as the effectiveness of measures aimed at promoting career progression for women.
Although progress has been made in emancipation on many points, it is less than in the past. On other points we see stagnation or even a retrograde development. The figures support the idea that the emancipation process is in danger of running out of steam.