Dutch Feminist March Foundation shuts down, citing mental health strain following cancelled protest
Why It Matters
Foundations need to be aware of the risks to members and themselves when choosing protest themes, locations and slogans.
A featured image from the Feminist March Foundation website (edited by Future of Good). (Feminist March Foundation/File)
Netherlands-based Feminist March Foundation announced its dissolution just days after their annual International Women’s Day march was cancelled after fears of violence.
“It is with a heavy heart that the board and management announce that the Feminist March Foundation will cease to exist,” the group said in a website post on Friday.
“For five years, we have done our best to organize inspiring protests and programs. However, we have noticed that we cannot meet all the expectations of our supporters and allies. The work is more extensive and complex than we can bear as a foundation. This has had a major impact on our mental health over time.“
The foundation specifically apologized for their “recent choices,” and those who may have been put in a “bad light,” but there was no context for those comments.
The foundation stated they will not be available for questions, requests from the media and other correspondence in response to the message, so direct further context is not possible.
What is not clear from their public statement is whether the violence and police response at a previous event not connected to the foundation or comments made during and after were most responsible for their decision.
The Future of Good newsroom will be discussing this story next week to determine potential follow-up options that could help other foundations that may face similar risks.
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