International Women’s Day is approaching on 8 March. Depending on which country you are from, you may be scratching your head wondering what all the fuss is about. International Women’s Day is celebrated and interpreted differently all around the world.

“Progress for All” is the Global Theme for International Women’s Day 2010. While there is plenty of talk on the issues of emancipation and equality in the Netherlands, progress here is excruciatingly slow. According to the most recent Dutch Emancipation Monitor published by the Social en Cultureel Planbureau in 2008, only 43% of women were economically independent. The shocking news is that economical independence is defined as 70% of minimum wage, which equates to a net salary of €10.788, per year! The majority of women (57%) in the Netherlands earn less than €10.788! The target was to reach 60% economic independence by 2010, but the goal will not be realized. There is work to be done!

Each year to mark International the Women’s Business Initiative International organizes an event focused on Women and Opportunity to provide inspiration from a variety of perspectives; business, leadership, politics and social innovation.
This year, the International Women's Day Event will be even bigger and better, with 150 women and men of diverse nationalities and professional sectors expected to attend.

The venue is the Bel Air Hotel in The Hague on Monday, 8 March 18:30-21:30.

Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mrs. Mary Whelan will speak at the event as well as Ariette Brouwer, Director of Benelux for Hygiene Retail of the Swedish SCA Corporation (brands Edet, Tempo, Libresse, etc.). Ariette will speak about the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives she has recently taken on for SCA.

Arjanneke Teeuw, Founder and Director of Healthy People, will share the experiences of her entrepreneurial adventure. After working in marketing management and sales for several multinationals (P&G, Philips, Campina, Nutricia and Coca-Cola) Arjanneke launched Healthy People to create positive products and more awareness for a healthy lifestyle. Three entrepreneurial awards will also be presented on the night.

About the WBII

The Women's Business Initiative International, an incubator and business center for entrepreneurial women in The Hague, was founded in 2006 with the aim to promote the inclusion of women in the professional world by identifying and removing barriers that prevent their full participation.

Address: Laan Copes v Cattenburch 86, 2585 GE The Hague

              T: 070 3588557
Website: www.womensbusinessinitiative.net/index.php

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