Top woman executive candidates database under fire

Minister Jet Bussemaker, who in addition to Education is also responsible for Emancipation, wants to go forward with the new database for top women that are suitable for high-level business positions. On Monday she sent a letter to the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, stating that there is a misunderstanding about the initiative that she hopes to dispel, NU reports. Last week the Tweede Kamer called on her to immediately stop with the database. According to the VVD, who initiated the motion, the database distorts the market as recruitment agencies have also been doing the same thing. But according to Bussemaker, that is not the case. She states that the database has a different role and is more complementary to the work of recruitment agencies. Stopping the database also has practical problems and is undesirable for the about 700 women who have enrolled in the past four months, she wrote. Bussemaker points out that the Kamer has agreed that the boards of directors and supervisory boards must consist of 30 percent women. She writes that this is happening much to slowly. In 2013 only 5.3 percent of the companies covered by the Management and Supervision Act met this target. Without extra effort the target will definitely not be reached before 2027.