The defence ministry has signed an agreement to try to get more women into top functions, as part of a government-wide effort to get more women into top jobs.

The agreement includes the pledge that by 2012, 3% of female soldiers should have the rank of colonel or higher. To help achieve this, two women will be singled out for special training every year, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not say how many women currently hold high rank.
Women first joined the Dutch armed forces 65 years ago.