Dutch national elections: your next chance to stand up for equity, climate and our health

Young feminists have mobilised in immense numbers for environmental issues the past couple of years, and there is another call to action on the horizon. The Dutch national elections are your next chance to stand up for the protection of equality, climate and our health.

We, at WECF in the Netherlands, decided to cut through the jargon in party manifestos and policy statements to bring you a manifesto scorecard which ranks party commitments to a gender-just and sustainable future. The scorecard shows issues that matter to us and our partners.

But what exactly are we demanding? Which ecofeminist issues are important to us? What more needs to be done? For example, no more messing with our hormones: We want to see stricter controls on the use of chemicals which threaten our reproductive health. You might not have heard of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC’s) but they’re everywhere in your daily life. They are found in your cosmetics, plastics bottles and the pesticides carried on your fruit and vegetables. A mounting body of evidence is showing how these chemicals are wreaking havoc with your natural hormones. Studies have shown links between exposure to EDCs and the increased risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, not to mention impaired fertility and disorders such as endometriosis. You might be shocked to know that the Netherlands has been reluctant to address these health risks and have instead been prey to vicious lobbying by the chemicals industry. We want to see politicians responding with robust action against the use of these chemicals instead of further delays. Our politicians are not only thwarting protection for our reproductive health but also the well-being of the most vulnerable.

Another important ecofeminist issue is sustainable production and consumption and more specifically the fate of womxn in the fast fashion industry. Our insatiable consumption has made us turn to cheap, disposable clothing which often ends up being thrown away. With 80% of garment workers being womxn worldwide, womxn are bearing the brunt of our consumption. They work with toxic dyes, are confronted with sexual abuse and work cripplingly long hours – all for an unliveable wage.

Get informed and get voting! (That is, if you’re a Dutch citizen of course).

More information on the Ecofeminist Scorecard and a download can be found here