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Finland ranked fourth in gender equality in the EU

This year marked the fifth iteration of the index, which focused on digitalisation and its effects on the future of work for men and women.

Jussi Hellsten / City of Helsinki

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has ranked Finland fourth behind Sweden, Denmark and France in gender equality among EU member states.

EIGE’s Gender Equality Index measures the member states’ gender equality in six categories: work, money, knowledge, time, power and health. This year marked the fifth iteration of the index, which focused on digitalisation and its effects on the future of work for men and women.

Finland scored 74.7 points out of 100 and has increased its score by 1.6 points since 2010. The score is 6.8 points above the EU average. The index applauds Finland’s performance in health (89.3) and money (87.1) but calls for more progress in knowledge (61.6).  The study found that women face a slightly bigger risk from the emergence of new technologies and that men hold sway in their development.

The share of women members of parliament has increased to 46%. Image: Twitter

“Finland has made progress towards gender equality, but there is still work to be done,” commentedThomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality. “The effects of digitalisation on gender equality need to be monitored closely and measures need to be taken at both the national and EU levels.”

“The implementation of the Government Action Plan for Gender Equality and the EU Gender Equality Strategy is one of the most important tools for promoting gender equality,” Blomqvist continued.

A balanced digital future

The European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, emphasised that Europe as a whole needs to ensure that women and girls occupy their fair share of the digital sector and be encouraged to contribute towards its inevitable growth in future.

“The EU Gender Equality Strategy adopted this year sets out key actions for the next five years, to step up the work towards equality and we need to see it through and fully implemented to ensure that women and men can be free, will thrive and lead,” she stated.

All in all, the index shows significant progress for gender equality in decision-making and counts it as the main driver of progress. Equality in the power category measured decision-making in politics, economics, media, research and sports. The index concludes that these areas have been the loci for 65 per cent of all progress since 2010, but they still trail the other domains with only 53.5 points.

Finland has more female entrepreneurs per capita than the European average. Image: GNF
By: Samuli Ojala
03.11.2020