Finland: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health welcomes contribution to preparation of the Government Report on Equality

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health encourages civil society to participate in the preparation of the equality policy report by expressing views on what an equal Finland would look like.

The Government submitted the first ever report on gender equality to Parliament in 2010. At that time, Parliament required the Government to submit the next report on gender equality policy by the end of 2021. Preparation of the report has now started.

The Government Report on Gender Equality outlines the long-term national objectives. For setting the objectives, the report also discusses changes in the operating environment and the social conditions and their effects on gender equality. To support the preparation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is welcoming views on what issues should be taken into account in preparing the report and what national objectives it should set. All citizens and organisations can submit opinions.

Cooperation with civil society is valuable
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as various experts, are participating in the working group set up for preparation of the report. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for preparation of the whole. The report is discussed in a group comprising secretaries of state and led by Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality . Stakeholders will be consulted again as the work progresses.Opinions can be submitted by answering the questions posed on the website lausuntopalvelu.fi until 22 January 2021.