Nordic ministers for gender equality discuss the impacts of #metoo

The Nordic ministers for gender equality meet on 17 September in Reykjavik to discuss, among other things, the impacts of the #metoo movement and the measures it has led to. Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality, will represent Finland at the meeting.

During the same visit, Minister Blomqvist will attend a conference of the Nordic Council of Ministers, which will discuss the measures to be taken after the #metoo movement.

“The #metoo movement has shown how difficult and demanding it still is for victims of harassment to take harassment cases forward and receive support. The debate has also proved that, although we have good laws against sexual harassment, we still need more understanding and measures to prevent sexual harassment. In particular, I would like to highlight the role of bystanders witnessing sexual harassment. We should all react and intervene in harassment when we see it,” Minister Blomqvist says.

At the meeting, Finland will support the proposal by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers to include the rights of gender and sexual minorities in the work programme of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

At the meeting, Minister Blomqvist will tell his Nordic colleagues about the gender equality objectives of Finland’s new Government, in which particular attention will be paid to improving the gender equality in working life and families.

"The gender equality objectives of the new Government Programme are more ambitious than ever before. We want Finland to be the leading country for gender equality,” Minister Blomqvist says.

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Tanja Auvinen, Director, tel. +358 295 163 715, [email protected]