Gender equality: A cornerstone of Finland’s welfare state
International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 around the world and in Finland it is marked with special pride. Gender equality is and has been one of the pillars upon which the Finnish welfare society is built. In 1906 Finland's national assembly became the first parliament in the world to adopt full gender equality. Today, the issue is an integral part of government policies and programmes.
It is widely acknowledged that society can progress in a more positive and democratic direction when the competence, knowledge, experience and values of both women and men are allowed to influence and enrich its development. The objective is that women and men should have equal rights, obligations and opportunities in all fields of life.
Equality between women and men is a crucial part of the Finnish welfare state model. The extensive provision of social and health care services by municipalities has enabled women to access paid work, as has supported the evolution of more equal gender relations.
Gender equality is extremely deeply rooted in the Finnish society – even in the national epic Kalevala, compiled from Finnish and Karelian folklore in the 19th Century, women have a strong role!
Historical perspective: Parliament as a pioneer
Universal and equal suffrage was enacted in Finland in 1906 and the first elections for the new unicameral Parliament were held in 1907. Finland was the first country in Europe to allow universal and equal suffrage, which means that the right to vote was extended for the first time to include all of the country's adult citizens irrespective of gender, class, wealth or position. Women in Finland were the first in the world to be eligible to stand as candidates in national elections.
The number of people entitled to vote increased ten-fold: 85% of the men who were not represented at the Diet - which preceded Parliament - could go to the ballot box together with all women, who had had no political rights whatsoever until then.
The powers of Finnish State are vested in the people, who are represented by Parliament. Parliament enacts Finnish law and also decides on matters such as the state budget and approves international treaties. The parliamentary system still broadly functions along the principles adopted a hundred years ago, although there have been changes in the way candidates are nominated, and in legislative periods and the way of voting.
Finland today: gender equality policy
Today, Finland has the highest number of female government members in the world: 12 of 20 ministers are women. Also the level of female members of parliament is among the highest in the world. On 1st of March 2009 the percentage of women in the Finnish parliament was 42 %. Even though things are looking good for gender equality, the work still goes on.
At government level, equality matters fall within the scope of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Those responsible for the practical implementation of equality are the Ombudsman for Equality, the Gender Equality Unit, and the Council for Equality.
The Ombudsman for Equality works as an independent authority monitoring compliance with the Act on Equality between Women and Men. The objectives of this Act are to prevent discrimination based on gender, to promote equality between women and men, and thus to improve the status of women, particularly in working life.
The Gender Equality Unit prepares the government's gender equality policy. In addition, the Unit co-ordinates international issues related to the European Union, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Council for Gender Equality is a permanent body with advisory status within the state administration. The Equality Board’s tasks include monitoring the application of the equality legislation and the handling and solution of related issues.
Gender equality is included in the official government programme. This establishes an equality action plan which among other things aims to achieve an income equality programme. Other areas covered by the action plan include women in leadership, fixed term service relations and the use of paternity leave.
The cornerstone of gender equality policy is gender mainstreaming. This aims for the development of policy conduct and assessment that incorporates a gender perspective in all sectors, levels and stages. Finland and the EU are committed to gender mainstreaming. Numerous projects related to gender questions are being considered within the EU. The Union is consolidating the equality directive and updating it and preparing a new directive on equality issues outside working life.
Finland is also renewing its equality legislation and making the gender impact assessment aspect of mainstreaming a pervasive part of all government administration.
Written / compiled by: Emilia Erkinheimo, Embassy of Finland
Read more:
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Gender Equality Programme
thisisFINLAND's article: Finland's parliament: pioneer of gender equality