Consent Culture Is Political: How Our Systems Still Police Women’s Bodies
What if every “yes” was celebrated, and every “no” was respected—no questions asked❔ In 2025, this vision is still far from reality. Despite louder conversations about consent, the fundamental right to bodily autonomy remains fiercely contested—especially for women and marginalized groups. If you care about gender equality, human rights, or social justice, understanding how our systems continue to police women’s bodies is essential.
What Is Consent Culture?
Consent culture is the belief that every person has the right to decide what happens to their body, free from coercion, shame, or punishment. This idea goes beyond sexual consent; it covers medical decisions, parenting, clothing, and freedom of movement. Yet, as UNFPA explains, bodily autonomy is still debated and denied in many places, including The Hague and across Europe.
The Politics of Consent in The Hague and Beyond
Consent is never just personal—it’s political. Laws, schools, and workplaces all send powerful signals about whose bodies matter. Consider these examples from The Hague and the Netherlands:
Reproductive rights in Europe: The Netherlands ranks third in the EU for gender equality, but debates over abortion access and reproductive autonomy continue. In the U.S., states with restrictive reproductive policies see higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to more progressive states. The health impacts of denying autonomy are real and measurable.
Sexual violence statistics in The Hague: In 2023, Dutch police recorded 6,240 female victims of sexual violence, with women making up 87% of all victims. That year, 48 women were victims of homicide—36 of them killed in domestic contexts. Even in countries with high gender equality, violence and control over women’s bodies persist (EIGE).
Sex work policy and labour rights: The Hague is known for its regulated sex work sector, but recent policy changes—like closing designated sex work zones—have pushed many into less safe environments. Across the EU, 41.1% of trafficking victims are sexually exploited. Belgium’s new labour rights for sex workers are being watched as a model for improving safety and autonomy.
Dress codes and gender expression: School dress codes often disproportionately target girls. In one Dutch district, 70% of school staff supported male teachers enforcing dress codes for female students, raising questions about who polices girls’ bodies and why (ACLU).
Why Bodily Autonomy Still Isn’t Guaranteed
Even in progressive cities like The Hague, bodily autonomy is conditional. It depends on your gender, race, class, and citizenship. The Netherlands scores 78.8 out of 100 for gender equality, ranking among the top in the EU, especially in health, money, and work. Still, challenges remain—particularly in the domains of power and knowledge, and in addressing persistent violence and the underrepresentation of women in leadership.
Building a True Consent Culture
To build a genuine consent culture, we must address power imbalances, change outdated laws, and hold institutions accountable. Progress is happening—labour rights for sex workers and new policies in The Hague are steps forward—but much work remains. Consent must become the rule, not the exception.
Final Thoughts
When we ask, what is consent culture, we’re really asking: What kind of world do we want? One where everyone, regardless of gender, is free to make choices about their own body? Or one where outdated rules still pretend that control is care?
Consent isn’t just a personal value—it’s a political act. It’s time our systems started acting like it.
Sources & Further Reading