Amsterdam Speaks Out Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
By Isabella Nijm | Metro City | September 26, 2022
Cover Illustration: Woman with mouth taped. Musa Artful/Pexels
Metro Reporter Isabella Nijm delves into the discussion of #MeToo in the context of the Netherlands and The Voice of Holland scandal.
On January 29, 2022, hundreds of people gathered at Museumplein in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to participate in a demonstration against the sexual harassment of women in the workplace. The demonstration was part of the wider #MeToo movement, a social movement against sexual abuse and harassment, characterized by victims speaking up about their experiences and publicizing their truth.
The January Amsterdam #MeToo protest was a response to reports of sexual harassment of female contestants in the popular Dutch TV show The Voice of Holland.
Two female contestants of the show reported having experienced unwanted sexual advances during filming, accusing two panelists of inappropriate sexual behavior. Investigations into the reports resulted in a rape allegation linked to the TV show.
The uproar surrounding The Voice of Holland sexual assault scandals triggered a domino effect among other women in the Netherlands who felt compelled and inspired to speak up about their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace. Across the Netherlands, the topic of sexual harassment has gained significant attention, with voices being increasingly heard. A recent NL Times report indicated that more calls to sexual violence hotlines are being made following the increased media attention surrounding The Voice of Holland scandal.
A witness of the demonstration on February 29, 2022, on Museumplein, Amsterdam, reports that
“It was powerful to see all types of women coming together like this. I admire people putting themselves out there standing up for anyone affected by the issue which is beautiful to see.”
“Next time I will be brave enough to join too,” she says. – (Anonymous)
“It was powerful to see all types of women coming together like this. I admire people putting themselves out there standing up for anyone affected by the issue which is beautiful to see.”
Demonstrations have occurred across the nation, with Amsterdam hosting protests in the early months of 2022. These organized protests are aimed at combatting workplace sexual harassment and the sexual intimidation of employees. These movements aim to put pressure on the current policymakers to clamp down on regulations, policies and laws regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.
NL Times recently reported valuable developments in adjusting and creating workplace safety policies within institutions such as companies and universities to ensure a safe work environment in which employees are not vulnerable to misconduct of a sexual nature.
However, the latest statistics from the Netherlands’ Institute for Human Rights (2021) show that women at work were twice as likely to be harassed in the workplace than men, with shocking estimates suggesting that at least half of working women face sexual harassment in the Netherlands.
While the #MeToo movement remains strong over five years after it broke the internet, continuing frustration and anger among citizens regarding a lack of change call forth a fight. It is likely that demonstrations like the one that took place on Amsterdam’s Museumplein will continue in hopes for a real change in workplace environments.
Isabella Nijm is a student at the University of Amsterdam. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Amsterdammer.
