Having a woman at the helm of a political party increases voter appeal and helps promote gender equality, women’s rights lobby group Women Inc has said.

A survey by market research bureau Ipsos for the organisation showed that 16% of respondents were prepared to switch to a party with a similar programme if it had a female leader. That means some two million people would be happy to change parties to support a woman, Women Inc said.

In total, 94% of those questioned said gender equality is an important issue and two thirds of people want the parties they vote for to actively promote it.

A possible switch of allegiance to a female-led party could prove to be relevant for a number of parties in the run-up to next year’s general elections, the AD said.

Both the Christian Democrats CDA and Liberal democratic party D66 are in the process of electing a new leader.

Trade minister Sigrid Kaag is expected to make a bid for the D66 leadership while the CDA leadership is likely to be contested by health minister Hugo de Jonge, finance minister Wopke Hoekstra and junior economic affairs minister Mona Keijzer.

The Socialist Party already has a female leader in Lilian Marijnissen.