Actors

Organisations and agencies active within the gender equality field vary from governmental authorities with gender equality responsibilities to various different types of NGOs and networks of actors. Furthermore, under the Equality Act, all public authorities, educational institutions and workplaces have a responsibility for promoting gender equality.

Governmental authorities with gender equality responsibilities  

The promotion of gender equality falls under the administrative scope of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which is responsible for the coordination of cross-sectoral gender equality policy, gender mainstreaming as well as gender equality legislation. The parliamentary Council for Gender Equality (Tane) also operates under the ministry. The Ombudsman for Equality and the National Discrimination and Equality Tribunal are responsible for supervising the Equality Act.  The Non-discrimination Ombudsman acts as the national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings and national rapporteur on violence against women.  Since the beginning of 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman for Equality has existed in the administrative sector of the Ministry of Justice. 

• Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: Gender Equality Unit
• Council for Gender Equality (Tane)
• Ombudsman for Equality
• National Discrimination and Equality Tribunal
• Non-discrimination Ombudsman

Gender equality organisations

Various types of NGOs are significant gender equality actors in Finnish society. Currently, the central organisations for NGOs promoting gender equality are the Central Association for Men’s Organizations in Finland, the National Council of Women of Finland, NYTKIS – The Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations and Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland.

In addition, several other organisations work with gender equality issues as part of their other activities.

• The Central Association for Men’s Organizations in Finland
• The National Council of Women of Finland
• NYTKIS – The Coalition of Finnish Women's Associations (in Finnish)
• Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland

The governmental authorities 

All authorities have the general obligation of promoting gender equality. The promotion of gender equality must be goal-oriented and systematic and it must attempt to change circumstances preventing the attainment of gender equality. The promotion of gender equality must cover the provision and availability of services. This work is referred to as gender mainstreaming.

Workplaces

Every employer must promote gender equality in working life in a goal-oriented and systematic manner. Workplaces employing at least 30 people must also draw up an annual gender equality plan, the drafting and content of which are specified in the Equality Act. Sanctions exist for neglecting this duty.

Educational institutions 

Bodies organising education and training must take steps to ensure women and men’s equal opportunities for education and professional development. The Equality Act obliges educational institutions to draft a gender equality plan that includes the institution’s most significant measures for promoting gender equality. Sanctions exist for neglecting this duty.