March marks Women’s History Month—a time to reflect on the barriers women have faced in gaining financial independence and funding their ideas.
For decades, women were financially dependent. In the 1950s, they could barely make purchases without permission—except for groceries (Historiek, 2024). In the Netherlands, it wasn’t until 1956 that married women were legally allowed to make financial decisions without their husband’s approval. Still, social norms remained rigid. Married women were expected to quit their jobs, even if they earned more than their husbands. Riek Hodes, for example, resigned from her well-paying position at Amsterdamsche Bank because “you weren’t fired—you had to resign yourself” (Verwaaij-Moorman, NPO 2023).
Feminist movements changed the game. By the late 1960s, activist groups like Man Vrouw Maatschappij (MVM) and Dolle Mina took to the streets, demanding equal pay, better childcare, and part-time work options for women. In 1975, equal pay became law—but enforcement lagged. Not until 1986 were married women entitled to the same social benefits as men. The numbers tell the story. In 1979, just 1 in 10 businesses were founded by women. Today, 36% of entrepreneurs are women—a huge step forward.
But funding remains the real hurdle. Less than 1% of venture capital goes to female founders. That’s right. While more women are starting businesses, they still struggle to secure the funding they need to scale. Closing the gap. To tackle this disparity, women-led investment funds and organizations have stepped in like FEM-START, which helps female entrepreneurs navigate funding challenges.
Take control of your financial future. Join our FREE Growth Training, in collaboration with StartupAmsterdam & Rabobank Amsterdam, designed for women looking to scale, secure funding, and build lasting success.
Sign up today: https://fem-start.com/startupamsterdam/
Written by Roos van den Oosterkamp
