09.10.2020
On October 7 and 8, 2020, an online seminar “Gender Issues” was held in Helsinki, Finland, which was attended by employees of the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics. The project was organized by the Center for Equality and Gender Information in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Network of Equality Participants.
Gender Equality Days is the main event of the year in the gender equality sector in Finland. These days are aimed at all those who work and are interested in equality issues, including local government officials and elected officials of central authorities and municipalities, labor market organizations, NGOs, private sector entities, projects, researchers and students.
The purpose of the seminar was:
- to bring together those working in the field of gender equality;
- to improve the flow of information;
- to share experience of practical work on gender equality;
- to discuss the goals of promoting gender equality;
- to develop coordination and effective methods of work on gender equality;
- to increase the competence of participants.
Gender equality means equal rights and opportunities for men and women, as well as de facto equality in society and working life, non-discrimination and a fair distribution of power and resources. In the West, the concept of equality includes gender diversity and the importance of gender in relation to other human-related factors that can lead to inequality (intersectionality).
Welcoming remarks were made by Nordic Minister for Cooperation and Equality, Finland, Thomas Blomqvista and Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Mia Nikopp.
Reports were made by:
– Director of Equality of the European Commission Irena Moozova “EU Gender Equality Strategy for 2020-2025”;
– Gender Issues Project Manager Mia Terasajo and Project Coordinator Sonia Soronen of the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare;
– University of Tampere Professor Johanna Kantola “Gender Issues in Policy Making: Lessons and Best Practices from Finland and Europe”;
– Member of the European Parliament Sirpa Pietikäinen “Gender equality from principle to practice – the view of the EU”;
– journalist and gender photographer Thomas Gunnarsson “Images that change the world: challenging gender stereotypes and eliminating norms through photography”;
– Non-Discrimination Officer, Helsinki, Nitin Sud “Recognition and Elimination of Prejudices and Norms in Communications”.
There was a panel discussion “Gender matters in the future!” which was attended by the First Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Antti Rinne, the Editor-in-Chief of Journalist Sara Salmani, a specialist in diversity and openness Maria Pettersson.
Tanya Auvinen, Director of the Gender Equality Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland, made a closing speech.
