Imagine being a Dutch woman in the early 1950s and wanting to buy new clothes. You would need your husband's permission and his money. A woman couldn’t take out an insurance policy, withdraw money from the bank, or even undergo surgery without her husband’s approval, as she was considered "handelsonbekwaam” (legally incompetent). Just a few decades ago, the reality for women in the Netherlands was very different from what it is today. For instance, did you know, that marital rape wasn’t a criminal offense here until the 1990s? It seems absurd now, but the freedoms and rights we take for granted today were only won relatively recently.
In the exhibition Remember the Women, we take a closer look at the emancipation of Dutch women, both past and present. Great strides have been made in a short period of time, but who made them possible? From the Dolle Minas group who broke taboos and fought for equal opportunities, to the abolition of the five-day reflection period for abortion in 2023: the fight for equality is still relevant.
To understand where we are headed, we must first learn where we’ve come from. How did feminism develop in the Netherlands? Who stood on the battlefront, and who quietly fought for change behind the scenes?
In this photo exhibition, you will see portraits of fifteen feminists from older and more recent generations. Through portraits by photographer Laura Cnossen and the accompanying (audio) stories by Marjolein Koster, you will get an intimate insight into the personal stories of those who have contributed to a more equal society. The exhibition will debut here at TU/e before traveling around the country.
About the makers
Laura Cnossen (1993) is a photographer who focuses on social and societal issues. A humane approach and social commitment characterize her way of working. Her projects often highlight the power of portrait photography combined with her socially conscious outlook. Examples include her project Manjača, featuring landscape photographs showing traces of the war in Bosnia, and her photo book and exhibition Love, Klink, which was nominated for the Unseen Dummy Award.
Marjolein Koster (1990) is a freelance journalist and multimedia storyteller focusing on social and political issues. She works for newspapers and magazines and produces podcasts and documentaries. Her recent work, such as the podcast De Val van Srebrenica, was nominated for a Tegel, the highest award in Dutch journalism. Marjolein is committed to bringing hidden stories to light, as in her podcast about women's emancipation in strict Christian communities.
Opening Hours
The exhibition is free to visit on the ground floor in the Atlas building at the TU/e campus. No reservation is needed. The exhibition will be open from Tuesday, November 12 to Wednesday, November 27, 2024:
• Monday to Friday: 8:00 - 18:00
• Saturday and Sunday: closed