Tea For Two

Flýtilyklar

Valmynd
Meginmál
Deildarval

Gender equality in Finland

Equality matters fall within the scope of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland. Those responsible for the practical implementation of equality are the Ombudsman for Equality, the Gender Equality Unit, and the Council for Equality.

Gender equality is and has been one of the pillars upon which the Finnish welfare society has been built. Currently Finland has celebrated the centenary of full political rights which is reflected in the welfare society. Even in the national epos Kalevala the women have strong role. The extensive provision of social and health care services by the municipalities has enabled women to access paid work, as well as supported the evolution of more equal gender relations. Indeed, the Nordic welfare society is often perceived as an emancipatory project that aspires towards an equal and just society through shared responsibility.

There are some challenges faced by the Finnish society in achieving gender equality, however. The leading posts are male dominated. The segregation of the labour market and the unbalanced sharing of costs of regeneration (e.g. parental leave) between the employers of male dominated and female dominated fields also pose a challenge. Moreover, on the average women receive 80% of men's pay, which is very much due to the segregation of the labour market. On this a governmental programme is running.

Balancing the work and family life between men and women is still a challenge. Young women find it more difficult to obtain permanent jobs in comparison with young men. On the other hand, in Finnish gender equality policy men are viewed as allies in the process of achieving gender equality. In effect, special measures are also taken to support men's rights in specific contexts, such as the right to active parenthood, alongside with activities strengthening women's rights.

Statistics Finland produces statistics concerning gender equality. Statistics Finland's Women and Men in Finland 2005 pocket book of statistics is published every other year and is available in English. It contains statistics on the position of women and men and on equality between the genders in Finland. The statistics in the publication are mainly based on the data of Statistics Finland but other data sources have also been used. The publication is intended to draw an overall picture of the position of women and men in different areas of society in Finland.

National policy for gender equality

The national legislation affecting gender equality includes:

• the Equality Act from 1986, amended a few times e.g. in 1995 and 2005
• the Constitution of Finland 11.6.1999
• The laws on welfare services, family policy, education, etc.
• the Equality Act 8.8.1986, amended in June 2005
• the Contracts of Employment Act 2001 30.4.1970
• the Act on Civil Servants of the State 19.8.1994
• the treaties and directives of EU, European Parliament, European Council, UN
• The Finnish Local Government Act, March 17, 1995

National family policy supports equality

The national welfare policy supports the gender equality for instance by:

• maternity and/or parental leave until the child is 10 months with 70% salary on the average

• the right to parental leave until the child has is 3 years old (and the right the right to return to work) but with less subsidy

• fathers are urged to use part of the parental leave and the additional paternal leave

• the right to work diminished working hours until the child has 10 years (with diminished salary)

• a package of gifts for the newborn baby

• advice and monitoring of health of the mother and the baby until the child goes to the school by municipal health care centres

• fathers are urged to take part in the upbringing of the child from the beginning e.g. services, different campaigns, discussion groups only for fathers.