International Women's Day - act and appoint for economic equality.

Today it is March 8, 2020 International Women’s Day and I have the honour to speak at an event of the 102-year-old Academic women’s association, the VVAO in the Netherlands.

First, I’m going to celebrate the freedom. What an important right it is - for a woman - to speak my mind freely, that I was able to choose to participate in this debate and will step in the spotlight able to share my opinion and ideas. How lucky I’m I to be born in The Netherlands, a country that enjoys a true democratic climate, where men and women are able to develop equally and are able to study the field of interest they desire. 

I’ll address the importance of education for girls and women, worldwide to create a solid base and economic independency. Regarding education we as VVAO are proud what is achieved in the Netherlands and are well aware what the difference a higher education can bring into an individual life for a girl as well as the impact it is going to have for her family and future generations. We all have experienced the positive power of education in our own 100 years of history as Academics and if we are honest in our own lives. 

All boys and girls, no matter what background, rich or poor, no matter what culture or religion, are going to school and are able to study. In general, the female students finish with better results. And after University the young talents are all starting to climb the carrier ladder. So here the playing fields are still equal.

What is the matter later in life? Where does it go wrong?  Why do we not have a 50-50 balance between men and women on key positions and in roles of power? There are a lot of excuses found and debated the last 100 years. The last 50, when emancipation and feminism tried to address this point besides more fundamental rights. And the last 25 years since I started my adventure to reach out for the top.  

The economic and financial inequality is one battle we still need to fight in the Netherlands. We are far from there yet and we should all together, strive for it! It means sophistication of a country. 

Of course, there are more horrific battles to fight to support our sisters. The violence against women, the abuse. The horrible situation of sex trafficking and child marriages. Women Rights are Human Rights! This I all support passively and trust that people who are master in that field of expertise, will act upon it effectively and supported not only by law but also by authority    

For me, I decided to become an activist in my own field of expertise. I like to be actively involved and address the myth that it will take over a century to realize true gender equality.  I take this challenge this all day long! 

The fight I choose is to do whatever I can to introduce talented and ambitious women in key- and top positions. So, I can actively participate and truly can impact on this absurd idea that talent has a gender! Women are all characters, they are smart, wonderful and intelligent human beings, who are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with men to address the overwhelming future challenges the world is going to present to us. 

So … please Women & Gentlemen …. don’t be stubborn, just be courageous and start to appoint us, Women!  

And for all talented and ambitious women fitted for the job, let’s act like true, international “Corporate Amazones”* 

Sisterhood United, Astrid van Heumen

*Coporate Casting, your alternative in executive search.