Gender equality

Digital UN Commission on the Status of Women. 18 March 2021. Check against delivery.

On 15–19 March, Minister for Gender Equality Märta Stenevi will take part digitally in the sixty-fifth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65). The priority theme is women’s opportunities for participation and decision-making in public life, and the elimination of violence against women.

On 8 March, International Women’s Day, a stakeholder meeting was held at which Minister for Gender Equality Märta Stenevi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde met with more than 40 civil society organisations to get input for Sweden’s engagement in a global action coalition on economic gender equality.

Stefan Löfven joins eight fellow EU leaders in an open letter to the bloc and its people

Digital conference in Kyoto, Japan, 7 March 2021. Check against delivery.

Sweden has the first feminist Government in the world. Gender equality is central to the Government’s priorities – in decision-making and resource allocation. The Government’s gender equality work is based on six objectives. It addresses power and influence, gender equality in economy and education, and the equal distribution of unpaid housework and provision of care. It is also about gender equality in health and ending men’s violence against women. In brief, it is about gender equality in all facets of life and society.

On 22 February, Minister for Gender Equality and Housing Märta Stenevi took part in an informal video conference between EU employment, social affairs and gender equality ministers. Ms Stenevi participated in a discussion on the link between gender equality and the EU’s post-pandemic recovery.

Preventing and combating men’s violence against women and honour-related violence and oppression is a highly prioritised issue for the Government. By adopting decision on the appropriation directions for 2021, the Government has allocated SEK 240 million to efforts combating violence and given several government agencies assignments in this area. Several assignments will focus on stopping honour-related violence and oppression. An additional SEK 130 million has also been allocated to the county administrative boards and municipalities to support efforts to combat violence. Several anti-violence initiatives are expected in 2021, with additional funds earmarked for this purpose.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships is increasing. Sweden therefore intends to contribute SEK 122 million to efforts to eliminate men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships, combat violence against children and strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is attending a ministerial conference on the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) today, Thursday 19 November. The agenda includes discussions on higher education in Europe and the adoption of the Rome Ministerial Communiqué. Ms Ernkrans will also deliver a speech.