The unabated importance of International Women’s Day

News

The unabated importance of International Women’s Day

For years, International Women’s Day has been drawing global attention to gender equality and women’s rights. A recurring challenge is the inclusion of more women in technical and exact sciences. Naturally, this is a matter close to our hearts at VSL. Last year, we asked colleagues about gender equality on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year, we offer a bird’s-eye view of International Women’s Day from the perspective of our management:

“The same knowledge is less valued in a different body,” quotes financial director Amanda Lock, citing author Astrid Elburg. “As long as unequal valuation persists in all layers of society, it remains crucial to stay critical of the causes of this inequality. International Women’s Day provides a valuable moment to focus on this issue and collectively strive for improvement.”

Managing director Fabienne van Booma also emphasizes the importance of International Women’s Day as an essential reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality. “International Women’s Day offers a platform to celebrate the progress made, but also to continue to draw attention to the challenges that still need to be overcome,” declares Fabienne. This day is crucial for continuing to stimulate discussion and action around gender equality.

Between hopes and reality

Within VSL, gender equality is part of a broader ambition to strengthen diversity and inclusion within the organization. This has led to an international and diverse team. Within the management, the majority are now women. “A diverse leadership team not only makes a powerful statement, but also has a positive influence on the organization,” states commercial director Erik van de Graaf. “I have the privilege of being a man and therefore facing far less discrimination, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I find it encouraging that we make continuous progress on equality at VSL.”

“It’s nice to work in a diverse team. It ensures that issues are viewed from multiple sides,” says Elvira Huizeling, operational director at VSL. “This also makes topics like diversity and inclusivity easier to address, as we have the necessary experiences that have made us realize it’s not yet a given that everyone is treated as equals. For example, when you enter a room full of men as the only woman, you can still feel the atmosphere change immediately.”

Van Booma does acknowledge that there is a hard limit in the pursuit of diversity. “VSL manages the national measurement standards for the Dutch government, and our clients rely on us for high-quality and highly accurate services. Ultimately, it’s crucial that, regardless of gender or sex, we attract the best qualities, experiences, and skills.”

The directive sees a clear path toward greater equality and inclusivity: better access to quality education for girls worldwide. “Education increases opportunities, breaks patterns, and promotes economic independence,” says Lock.

For Huizeling, however, it doesn’t stop with education. “I’d like to change the institutional discrimination still present in our culture. Who takes on the care for children or elders should be an open question to the whole family. Because the automatic expectation that the woman will take it on perpetuates inequality.”

International Women’s Day reminds us not only of the successes we can celebrate but also of the path that still lies ahead. The real litmus test for our shared commitment to gender equality and diversity, within VSL and in wider society, lies in our ability to continue to critically examine wrongs and to tackle them together.