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At CNBC-TV18’s Future Female Forward, Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerards warned of a global pushback against diversity and inclusion, stressing the need for collective action to safeguard progress toward gender parity.
In conversation with CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor Shereen Bhan, Gerards — who previously led NATO partnerships and now serves as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal and Bhutan — spoke about the urgent need to protect hard-won gains for women in leadership.
Reflecting on her career in diplomacy, Gerards noted how exclusion often begins at the decision-making stage, with assumptions made on behalf of women. "Offer her the job, she can make the decision herself," she said, recalling how she would push back during postings discussions where women were overlooked because of childcare, a spouse’s career, or perceived security risks.
Gerards also spoke candidly about stepping into roles traditionally dominated by men, including becoming the first female deputy director general for political affairs in the Dutch Foreign Ministry and later one of only five women at the 30-member NATO North Atlantic Council table. "I could feel, then, for the first time, that I was in a chair where lots of men in my ministry thought it was actually theirs," she said. She emphasised the importance of holding one’s ground "always kind, but always firm."
On the value of diversity in high-stakes global decisions, she said, "It does make a difference… not only diversity of men and women… but also different backgrounds, different upbringing… It also makes the decisions better."
A Rising Global Pushback
Gerards expressed deep concern about what she described as a worldwide backlash against inclusion efforts. "Diversity is suddenly a swear word, or inclusion is suddenly something that you seem to be ashamed of… and where laws are being adopted that it should be taken out of policies of companies," she said. Citing the influence of misogynistic online figures like Andrew Tate, she added, "It terribly worries me that there are so many young boys who are following this… it’s so toxic."
Calling for unified action, she urged women and men to stand together and "not shy away" from using and defending terms like diversity and inclusion. "Look for debate, and try to understand also where the other reasoning is coming from… I always believe in debates. Maybe that's why I became a diplomat," she said.
Lessons from India and the Netherlands
Gerards praised several Indian initiatives aimed at women’s safety and mobility, including emergency helplines, pink police booths and buses, and women-only metro compartments. She described these as "very creative" and said such measures send a powerful signal that society "doesn’t accept violence against women."
While the Netherlands performs well on health indicators for women, she acknowledged that economic participation remains an area of weakness. Many Dutch women work part-time because childcare is expensive, she said, noting, "If you want to be really at the table, you should work full time… full time doesn’t mean 80 hours a week." She admitted even she had occasionally adopted "a bit more flimsy" meeting prep after realising many male colleagues spoke confidently without fully reading documents.
On Confidence and Raising the Next Generation
When asked what she would tell her younger self, the ambassador replied, “To be far more confident.” She urged parents to raise girls to be assertive and boys “to have a little bit more empathy” and shoulder housework — “shared responsibility is a big one.”
She also shared a moment familiar to many women in leadership: "What happens quite a lot of times when you're at a meeting table is all men stealing your point." Her solution: timing. “Let the man talk first a little bit more, and then time your proposal a little bit later, so that they cannot steal it.”
India–Netherlands Ties
On bilateral relations, Gerards highlighted strong people-to-people engagement and said the two nations are preparing to announce a strengthened partnership. Given global instability, she said, "I think we need trusted friends," adding that dialogue between India and Europe is crucial for understanding each other’s perspectives on global threats and priorities.
Ambassador Gerards concluded that serving in India has been "a great privilege," and Bhan closed the session to applause from the audience.
Also Read: Govt expands women's labour rights, strengthens workplace safety under New Labour Code
In conversation with CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor Shereen Bhan, Gerards — who previously led NATO partnerships and now serves as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal and Bhutan — spoke about the urgent need to protect hard-won gains for women in leadership.
Reflecting on her career in diplomacy, Gerards noted how exclusion often begins at the decision-making stage, with assumptions made on behalf of women. "Offer her the job, she can make the decision herself," she said, recalling how she would push back during postings discussions where women were overlooked because of childcare, a spouse’s career, or perceived security risks.
Gerards also spoke candidly about stepping into roles traditionally dominated by men, including becoming the first female deputy director general for political affairs in the Dutch Foreign Ministry and later one of only five women at the 30-member NATO North Atlantic Council table. "I could feel, then, for the first time, that I was in a chair where lots of men in my ministry thought it was actually theirs," she said. She emphasised the importance of holding one’s ground "always kind, but always firm."
On the value of diversity in high-stakes global decisions, she said, "It does make a difference… not only diversity of men and women… but also different backgrounds, different upbringing… It also makes the decisions better."
A Rising Global Pushback
Gerards expressed deep concern about what she described as a worldwide backlash against inclusion efforts. "Diversity is suddenly a swear word, or inclusion is suddenly something that you seem to be ashamed of… and where laws are being adopted that it should be taken out of policies of companies," she said. Citing the influence of misogynistic online figures like Andrew Tate, she added, "It terribly worries me that there are so many young boys who are following this… it’s so toxic."
Calling for unified action, she urged women and men to stand together and "not shy away" from using and defending terms like diversity and inclusion. "Look for debate, and try to understand also where the other reasoning is coming from… I always believe in debates. Maybe that's why I became a diplomat," she said.
Lessons from India and the Netherlands
Gerards praised several Indian initiatives aimed at women’s safety and mobility, including emergency helplines, pink police booths and buses, and women-only metro compartments. She described these as "very creative" and said such measures send a powerful signal that society "doesn’t accept violence against women."
While the Netherlands performs well on health indicators for women, she acknowledged that economic participation remains an area of weakness. Many Dutch women work part-time because childcare is expensive, she said, noting, "If you want to be really at the table, you should work full time… full time doesn’t mean 80 hours a week." She admitted even she had occasionally adopted "a bit more flimsy" meeting prep after realising many male colleagues spoke confidently without fully reading documents.
On Confidence and Raising the Next Generation
When asked what she would tell her younger self, the ambassador replied, “To be far more confident.” She urged parents to raise girls to be assertive and boys “to have a little bit more empathy” and shoulder housework — “shared responsibility is a big one.”
She also shared a moment familiar to many women in leadership: "What happens quite a lot of times when you're at a meeting table is all men stealing your point." Her solution: timing. “Let the man talk first a little bit more, and then time your proposal a little bit later, so that they cannot steal it.”
India–Netherlands Ties
On bilateral relations, Gerards highlighted strong people-to-people engagement and said the two nations are preparing to announce a strengthened partnership. Given global instability, she said, "I think we need trusted friends," adding that dialogue between India and Europe is crucial for understanding each other’s perspectives on global threats and priorities.
Ambassador Gerards concluded that serving in India has been "a great privilege," and Bhan closed the session to applause from the audience.
Also Read: Govt expands women's labour rights, strengthens workplace safety under New Labour Code
