Foreword

It is impressive to see history unfold in front of you, and it's safe to say that the #metoo movement reshaped attitudes towards longstanding negative behaviors in the labor market. Through the courageous narratives of survivors, we have become aware of the negative effects of sexual harassment in the workplace and unraveled the negative culture of sexual harassment. This has led to a cultural shift, and companies and institutions now have prepared rules for how people should behave. This did not exist before.  

For decades, the Nordic countries have cooperated on gender equality issues, which has brought us forward and has been rewarding and instructive for all of us.   

The initiative of the Nordic Council of Ministers on sexual harassment in the labor market, which was launched in 2019 during Iceland's presidency, is an excellent example of Nordic cooperation. The project is a joint initiative of the sectors for gender equality, culture, working life, and the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People in which all the Nordic countries participated. It has been an eye-opener and an milestone to draw attention to the devastating impact of sexual harassment in the labor market.  

Our task in the years to come is to make sure that the legacy of the #metoo movement lasts and to keep on fighting because sexual harassment and violence are a threat to individual rights and gender equality in our societies.   

The Nordic Research initiative is an important milestone in our journey to draw attention to the damage that sexual harassment has on the well-being of those who are exposed to it and the resulting damage to society as a whole. 

Change begins with awareness, dialogue, and solidarity. Together and united the Nordic countries have the power to create a safer environment in the labor market where we all can flourish and contribute to a safer work environment to the benefit of us all.  

Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Equality in Iceland