What were the outcomes of the 92nd session of CEDAW for the Netherlands?

In February 2026, the Kingdom of the Netherlands came under scrutiny during the 92nd session of the the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva. Following the Network's intensive preparations, which included shadow reports, factsheets, an oral statement, a lunch briefing with committee members, and informal lobbying discussions, the Committee published its Concluding Observations (COBs) on 6 February 2026 following the Constructive Dialogue. On 30 March 2026, we presented the main points of these recommendations to our supporters on behalf of the Network. In this blog, we reflect on what stood out to us.

Dutch CEDAW NGO Team 2026

What does the CEDAW Committee say about the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

The Committee acknowledges progress in certain areas, but criticises the gap between policy and practice. Four key themes run through the COBs:

• The persistent gap between legislation and actual implementation, particularly for women in vulnerable positions;

• Significant inequalities in access to healthcare and rights in the Caribbean Netherlands.

• Concerns about the impact of the growing anti-gender movement on women’s rights.

• The need for more effective policies, greater prevention and better disaggregated, intersectional data collection.

Our input is reflected in the recommendations

It is clear that the committee has made use of the information provided by the Network and its members in the form of shadow reports, factsheets, an oral statement, a lunch briefing and informal discussions.

We recognise our contribution in several areas. For example, the recommendation to tackle gender stereotyping and stigmatisation more effectively aligns directly with our input, as does the explicit focus on issues surrounding domestic violence, custody and access arrangements.

Thanks partly to the efforts of SekswerkExpertise Network and a joint supplementary factsheet, the term 'sex work' was included in the COBs for the first time. The collaboration with Ieder(in) has yielded concrete recommendations on matters such as employment, decision-making autonomy, and the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women with disabilities.

The recommendations regarding the right to independent residence and the provision of safe reporting options for migrant women and refugees also reflect our priorities, as does the call for improved legal aid and safe reporting for undocumented women.

From Geneva back to the Netherlands — what next?

The COBs are not an end in themselves, but rather a starting point. The Network is actively committed to implementing the recommendations, particularly the four priority areas on which the Netherlands must report within two years.

• Para. 27c: legislation on domestic violence

• Para. 29g: trafficking in human beings and exiting sex work

• Para. 37b: Parental leave and childcare

• Para. 39d: Decriminalisation of abortion.

How do we put this into practice?

CEDAW provides a powerful tool for reinforcing our themes and policy recommendations. By linking the COBs to other international treaties, such as the Istanbul Convention, we can hold policymakers directly to account for their obligations.

The Network collaborates with partners on specific issues and the associated recommendations of the CEDAW Committee to do this. The Network also monitors government compliance with the COBs and exerts pressure through lobbying and media attention where necessary. We continue to raise awareness of the COBs among NGOs and the public in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, emphasising the urgency of these issues.

The message is clear: the fight for equal rights does not end in Geneva.

Janna Visser, Linda Mans en Petra Snelders