Nordic Region to build strong global coalition for gender equality and equal rights

Photographer

Riku Hasari

The Nordic governments will continue to stand united in the international community in promoting gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI people. The Nordic ministers for gender equality and LGBTI issues have now decided to form a strong global coalition on these matters. Furthermore, they are stepping up the capacity of Nordic embassies to co-operate on matters of women’s rights, equal treatment, and anti-discrimination.

At a time when gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI people are becoming increasingly politicised, and hard-won rights are even being rolled back in some parts of the world, the Nordic ministers for gender equality and LGBTI issues remain committed to ensuring that the Nordic countries continue to defend these fundamental Nordic values also at an international level.

This was made clear when the ministers met in Hämeenlinna, Finland, on 7 October to discuss the growing global challenges.

At the meeting, the ministers decided that the Nordic countries will jointly establish a strong global coalition for gender equality and equal rights, step up the capacity of Nordic embassies to work together, and present a united front at the UN with the message that the Nordic countries pledge not to regress.

“Even though we’re seeing a number of worrying trends in the world today, this doesn’t change the fact that the Nordic countries will continue to fight for gender equality and equal rights. These are fundamental human rights principles, and we stand firmly by them. During Finland’s and Åland’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, we have launched a number of initiatives to strengthen the common Nordic voice for progress, and we’re pleased that these efforts will continue,” said Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Finland’s Minister of Social Security.

Co-operation with the Council of Europe

The meeting in Hämeenlinna was also attended by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, who presented the current challenges in Europe regarding the lack of support for fundamental principles with respect to human rights. In response, the ministers decided that next year the Nordic Council of Ministers, together with the Council of Europe, will host the annual European conference on equal rights for LGBTI people.

“The Nordic countries have worked together on gender equality for 50 years, and in 2020 we also included co-operation on equal rights for LGBTI people. Gender equality and non-discrimination are core Nordic values, and that’s why the Nordic countries must stand united in these challenging times,” said Åland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Arsim Zekaj.

Under Finland’s and Åland’s presidency in 2025, the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI has pursued special initiatives to address growing global challenges, prevent gender-based violence, strengthen shared Nordic knowledge on LGBTI people’s health and well-being, promote equal pay, and map and address men’s challenges in achieving gender equality.