VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne wins award most female-friendly organization

September 19, 2011 3:57 AM

The team of law firm VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne has won the prestigious award for the most female-friendly organization in Curaçao.

The award was presented for the fourth time by the “Stichting Vrouwennetwerk Curaçao” (Foundation Women’s Network Curaçao) on Thursday evening.

“The five nominated companies all deserve the award,” jury chairman Jeanette Bonet says. She was the former winner with her company Breezes Resort. “The law firm excelled by efficient use of modern technical tools such as video conferencing, providing the flexibility to let staff – the male staff too – work part-time and still make a career.”

Flexibility seemed to be the magic word on the festive evening at the Hyatt hotel. Jury member Ingrid de Maaijer promptly corrects a widely spread misunderstanding: a woman-friendly company does not by definition employ many women, but the women present must be able to fee good in the workplace. She also greatly values flexibility of both management and colleagues.

Esther Jansen of VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne received the award, a sculpture symbolizing a strong woman, from the acting governor Adèle van der Pluijm-Vrede. Jansen made the surprising announcement that in ten years her company will make an effort to create an award for the most man-friendly company.

“There will be a new opportunity in two years,” as Solange de Lesire and Saskia Korving-Blom, initiators of the award, say. “As committee members for projects to stand up for women’s rights, we wanted to break a negative spiral with a positive gesture in 2004, and thus create social involvement with companies.”

“We have achieved this goal. More and more people realize that women with their sensible, overall view are needed in every company, not only in Curaçao, but worldwide!”

15 september 2011