ANVS chair of the board Annemiek van Bolhuis appointed co-Chair of the International Gender Champions Impact Group
ANVS chair of the board Annemiek van Bolhuis has been appointed co-Chair of the Gender Champions Impact Group on Gender Equality in Nuclear Regulatory Agencies. This international working party of directors of nuclear regulators and international organisations such as the IAEA aims to increase gender equality and diversity within the own organisation and the entire nuclear sector. This topic is also high on the ANVS's agenda, so we are very pleased this appointment will allow us to contribute to it on an international level.
Recruiting and retaining more women in the nuclear sector
More diversity ensures greater acuity, innovation, creativity and improved decision-making, which is why it is important that the nuclear sector increases its diversity to include underrepresented groups. Women are still a minority in the nuclear sector, including among regulators. That is what the Gender Impact Group hopes to change, by sharing positive and less positive experiences and by carrying out policy studies into how to recruit and retain more women in the nuclear sector. In addition, the Gender Impact Group aims to create a working environment that embraces diversity and ensure that young women receive high-quality nuclear training.
“Every talent counts”
Annemiek van Bolhuis is taking over the co-chairpersonship from Rumina Velshi (chairperson of the Canadian regulator). Rafael Mariano Grossi (Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency) is also on the board.
Annemiek van Bolhuis: “Gender equality and equal opportunities are important because our organisations – and therefore our work – improve if they are diverse and inclusive. We want our organisations to be a reflection of the society for which we work. We know this won’t happen of its own accord, and bringing about change takes more than talking about it. We have influence and should be the agents of change ourselves. It is up to all of us to contribute to that. As new co-chair that is my remit for the coming years.”
Encouraging diversity a priority for the ANVS
Within our own organisation, diversity and inclusion are greatly valued. The ANVS stands for a safe working climate. We support cooperation and mutual trust within the organisation and encourage the development of personal leadership, diversity and inclusiveness.
This is also something we will address in our cooperation with other organisations, for example by setting these topics on the international agenda. We are already working with the Belgian regulator FANC and the French regulator ASN to examine how we can pursue a gender-inclusive recruitment policy. We also want to contribute to high-quality education. In 2023, the ANVS is also taking part in a working party of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about HR and gender equality.