Nordic countries issue declaration on promoting gender equality and rights of sexual and gender minorities
The Nordic ministers responsible for gender equality and LGBTI issues met in Stockholm today on 27 November 2024. The meeting discussed, among other things, how gender equality and human rights are weakening globally. Finland was represented at the meeting by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.
At the meeting, the ministers for gender equality and LGBTI expressed their concern over the growing opposition to gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI people. The ministers issued a joint declaration, emphasising the Nordic countries’ shared vision of equal rights for all people, irrespective of their gender or sexual identity. Read more about the joint declaration via the link.
The declaration also pledges both to defend the advancements already made on gender equality and the rights of sexual and gender minorities and to continue the work for equal rights in the future, too.
The ministers for gender equality and LGBTI expressed their concern over the growing regression and push back against gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI people. According to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, the declaration issued as part of the efforts (Pushing for Progress) to counter the anti-gender movement is an important step forward.
“Gender equality work is facing growing organised opposition around the world, even in international organisations. I consider it important that Finland and the other Nordic counties work together to actively promote gender equality and the realisation of the rights of sexual and gender minorities,” says Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, the Minister responsible for gender equality issues.
During the meeting, the ministers also discussed Nordic cooperation at the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), gender equality challenges facing boys and men and other topical issues.
Cooperation with Baltic countries continues
In addition to the meeting of the ministers for gender equality and LGBTI, the ministers met for a roundtable discussion with their Baltic colleagues to seek solutions to gender-based violence. Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen considers cooperation with the Baltic countries important.
“Combating violence against women is one of the key objectives of Finland’s gender equality policy, and this is also true in other countries close to us. It is of great value that we cooperate on this issue not only with the other Nordic countries but also with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,” says Grahn-Laasonen.
Finland to hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025
During the day, the ministers also discussed Finland’s forthcoming Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Finland will hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council in 2025.
Founded in 1971, the Nordic Council of Ministers seeks and develops Nordic solutions wherever and whenever the countries can achieve more together than by working on their own.
Inquiries
Hanna Onwen-Huma, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 233
Sakari Rokkanen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Security, tel. +358 295 163 109
The email addresses are in the format [email protected].