Finalnd: Nordic gender equality ministers discussed advancing the theme of fatherhood and care during Finland’s Presidency

NordenBladet — Minister Thomas Blomqvist attended a video meeting of Nordic ministers for gender equality on 5 November 2020. The main topics of the meeting were the theme of fatherhood and care and advancing it during Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. 

Fatherhood and equal parenting will be among the main themes of Nordic work on gender equality next year. The ministers will discuss the theme based on the results of the State of Nordic Fathers report published in November 2019. The report shows that care responsibilities are unevenly distributed in families and that outdated stereotypes are still associated with parenting and care.“By taking active part in parenting, fathers can forge strong links with their children while fulfilling the right of their children to two present parents,” says Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality* Blomqvist. The ministers decided on launching a Nordic research projects on sexual harassment at work. Sexual harassment is a major problem in all Nordic countries, and more information is needed especially on sexual harassment at work.The ministers decided what matters the Nordic Council of Ministers will be promoting concerning gender and sexual minorities. They also decided to include an addition on LGBTI work to the Nordic co-operation programme on gender equality.

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The Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality (Finnish: Pohjoismaisen yhteistyön ja tasa-arvon ministeri, Swedish: Minister för nordiskt samarbete och jämställdhet) is one of the nineteen portfolios of Finland’s incumbent Marin Cabinet. The position is one of three ministerial portfolios comprising the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

To date, there has been one Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality, the incumbent Thomas Blomqvist of the Swedish People’s Party of Finland (SFP/RKP). In the five-party coalition government formation which forms the basis for the incumbent Marin government, as well as its predecessor, the Rinne government, the position of the Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality has been one of two portfolios held by SFP/RKP. The other position held by the party is that of the Minister of Justice. Before the government negotiations held after the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election, the task of Nordic Cooperation has been held as an additional portfolio, assumed by other ministers. For example, in the Sipilä government, the portfolio was held by the Minister of Transport and Communications.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi