As an individual, you have the right to make your own choices. This is called the right to self-determination: you are free to make decisions about your body, your health, your choice of partner, and your life path. But that right is sometimes under pressure - due to political decisions, lack of knowledge in healthcare, for example, or because of ever-changing cultural and social norms. What self-determination exactly means, why it is important and how Atria deals with it can be read on this page.
Self-determination of people over their own bodies
Whereas self-determination is a broader concept, bodily autonomy specifically focuses on control over one's own body. Globally, many women do not have this freedom. According to a report by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, 2021), most women cannot make their own decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health. Even in the Netherlands, women in particular do not yet have full bodily autonomy:
Contraception is not fully reimbursed from the age of 18.
Abortion is still in the Penal Code.
Well-considered choices in cases such as menstrual complaints, hormonal problems and pelvic floor problems.
Cultural and societal norms
Self-determination can also be limited by expectations and norms. Think of pressure from family, religion or culture. These social factors make the right to choose vulnerable.
Historical struggle for self-determination
The struggle for the right to self-determination is a recurring theme within feminism and women's movements. Some examples from the past century show how the right to self-determination has been enhanced in a number of ways, but also how fragile it is.
1911: Abortion was included in the Morality Act. Besides abortion, this law banned brothels, pornography, homosexual acts by both men and women and the display and advertising of contraception, among other things.
Until 1957: married women were considered incapable of acting and were not allowed to have their own bank accounts.
Sixties: the contraceptive pill was introduced. Also, feminist groups like the Dolle Minas, Man Woman Society (MVM) and We Women Demand took to the streets to fight for abortion rights.
1984: The Termination of Pregnancy Act (Wafz) was introduced, with a mandatory five-day reflection period.
2025: Abortion is still in the Penal Code. Despite the abolition of the mandatory reflection period from 1 January 2023, there is still a reflection period if the doctor advises it. In 2025, a motion was passed requiring the Netherlands to actively oppose attempts to include abortion as a human right in European treaties.
What does Atria do?
Self-determination is one of Atria's spearheads. We work on themes such as:
Sources
UNFPA (2021): My body is my own [PDF]
In our collection , you will find lots of information and materials on the struggle for self-determination.
Photo top: Demonstration Abortion Free in Amsterdam, 24 April 1976, photographer: Ton Sonneveldt, IAV-Atria Collection
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Themes
As an independent knowledge institute, Atria bridges the gap between research and social change.
Our themes are: Gender-based violence, Representation, Economic inequality, Feminism and Self-determination. View our knowledge and expertise per theme.
