Director Bano spoke at New Year's Reception commemorating 125 years of NVR

Director Sabra Bano spoke at the occasion of the New Year's Reception commemorating 125 years of Nederlandse Vrouwen Raad (NVR):

International impact of 125 years of women's work and Dutch Feminist Foreign Policy

Complementing Feminist Foreign Policy.

Sabra Bano, The Hague 30^th January 2023

It has been almost a journey of 125 years that leads Netherlands to have its gender-parity based cabinet at home and a feminist foundation for its foreign policy abroad.

Salute to all stalwarts of women`s movement, gender equality heroes and heroines and the human rights activists who held the torch of commitment and kept it lit with their sustained dedication inspiring generations to come.

Congratulations toall bearers of this torch of commitment, who continue today to shine through their leadership of working for a gender just society based on equal sharing of political powerand access to economic resources.

It is still a dream come true to have gender equal power and resources.

One route to this target is by pushing for the attainment of parity-based decision making further and I truly wish that we find ways to do it collectively.

As the concerns like gender discrimination coupled with the marginalization centered around race, sexual orientation, age,and handicap remain harmful practices against societal harmony, these must be addressed and challenged out loud.

Constitution ought to be fully respected on diversity, participation, and representation clauses.

Our presence here today is my inspiration to pledge that I stand together with NVR and all NVRians supporting electoral gender parity and gender equality in all political decision-making at home and abroad alike. This is a feminist vision and I hope to engage you and other stakeholders to work together for having a broad National Feminist Policy framework in the Netherlands that complements its Feminist Foreign Policy. For its next 125 years journey ahead I wish NVR to move forward impacting women’s movement in Europe and internationally.