Feminism in the Netherlands

Abstract

In the first part of this article the author gives some background information about Holland and analyses the beginnings of modern feminism in terms of theories and consciousness. The second section deals with today's movement: debates, tendencies and main areas of feminist practice. There is a lot of grass-roots organization and abroad layer of women who have organized themselves but do not (yet) call themselves feminists. Many of them are in feminist education projects. Besides education, women's culture, women's aid projects and the left are discussed as areas of feminist practice. Some references are made to campaigns, i.e. the abortion struggle. The third section deals with feminism and the state as an example of what ‘the enemy≐ does. Some conclusions: the movement has made big gains in the area of consciousness and reached many women but still has limited power, e.g. when facing the economic crisis. Within the movement itself many problems around political differences have been solved to a large extent but others have arisen e.g. tension between the notion off ‘autonomous structures≐ and the wish to be a strong united movement as well.