As a festive prelude to International Women’s Day, an inspiring event was held on Friday, March 7th by the Women & Food Network at the Provincial House in Den Bosch the Netherlands. This year’s theme was Woman of the Future — a powerful invitation to reflect on the role of women in the food transition, agriculture and nature, both now and in the future.
The Dutch GRASS CEILING team was proudly present in large numbers at the event — not only as participants, but also with two impactful workshops led by women from our network, each embodying the theme in their own unique way.
Sonja vhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjavanuden/an Uden led an in-depth workshop on finding a sustainable balance between people and nature. With her knowledge and experience, she demonstrated how essential it is for women in this field to make their voices heard and to build a livable future through connection and care.
Dorieke Goodijk-Smits hosted a session on female leadership in the agricultural sector. How can women ‘flourish’ in their roles? Which experiences and knowledge from the past can help them in the future? With practical insights and engaging discussions, she inspired other women to claim and embrace their place.
The event also provided a valuable opportunity to broaden the search for connection — even when perspectives differ within the agricultural sector and rural areas. The open conversations and shared experiences highlighted how important it is, just like within the Grass Ceiling project, to remain in dialogue and to build bridges within a diverse network.
The event was a powerful reminder that the future is full of female influences — and that we are shaping that future together. The Dutch GRASS CEILING participants look back with pride on this day full of connection, reflection, and forward-thinking.
