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Key dates in the official Nordic co-operation on gender equality

In December 1974, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided that all Nordic governments should appoint a contact person to liaise with the administrations of the other governments on gender equality issues. This is seen as the start of Nordic co-operation on gender equality.
Below you will find important dates and a brief summary of priority themes for Nordic gender equality co-operation.
1974 
1975
1978 
In December 1974, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided that all Nordic governments should appoint a contact person to liaise with the administrations of the other governments on gender equality issues.
A Nordic contact group for gender equality issues is set up and the first contact group meeting is held in April 1975.
A meeting between the Nordic Council Committee for Social Affairs and the Environment and the Ministers for Co-operation on the Nordic Council of Ministers approves the action plan for Nordic co-operation on gender equality issues. At the meeting, it is proposed that an official committee for gender equality issues (ÄK-JÄM) be established.
1974  
In December 1974, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided that all Nordic governments should appoint a contact person to liaise with the administrations of the other governments on gender equality issues.
1975
A Nordic contact group for gender equality issues is set up and the first contact group meeting is held in April 1975.
1978 
A meeting between the Nordic Council Committee for Social Affairs and the Environment and the Ministers for Co-operation on the Nordic Council of Ministers approves the action plan for Nordic co-operation on gender equality issues. At the meeting, it is proposed that an official committee for gender equality issues (ÄK-JÄM) be established.
1980
1981 
1982 
The Ministers for Gender Equality take over responsibility for Nordic co-operation on gender equality.
A counsellor working on gender equality as a main field of work is employed at the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The first co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work is approved by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality (MR-JÄM).
1980
The Ministers for Gender Equality take over responsibility for Nordic co-operation on gender equality.
1981 
A counsellor working on gender equality as a main field of work is employed at the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
1982 
The first co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work is approved by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality (MR-JÄM).
1988
1995
2000
MR-JÄM approves the second co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 1989-1993
Prioriterade teman:
  • The role of women in economic development
  • Reconciling family and working life for women and men
MR-JÄM approves the third co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 1995-2000.
Priority themes:
  • Promoting equal access of women and men to political and economic decision-making processes
  • Promoting the economic equality and empowerment of women and men
  • Promoting a gender equal working life
  • Improving the reconciliation of parenting and work for both women and men
  • Influencing European and international developments in the field of gender equality
    Nordiska institutet för kvinno- och könsforskning (The Nordic Institute for Women’s and Gender Research, NIKK) is founded and located at the University of Oslo.
The Nordic Council of Ministers decides on the responsibility of all sectors for gender mainstreaming.
MR-JÄM approves the fourth co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 2001-2005.
Priority themes:
  • Mainstreaming a gender perspective in Nordic government budgets
  • Men and gender equality
  • Violence against women
1988
MR-JÄM approves the second co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 1989-1993
Priority themes:
  • The role of women in economic development
  • Reconciling family and working life for women and men
1995
MR-JÄM approves the third co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 1995-2000.
Priority themes:
  • Promoting equal access of women and men to political and economic decision-making processes
  • Promoting the economic equality and empowerment of women and men
  • Promoting a gender equal working life
  • Improving the reconciliation of parenting and work for both women and men
  • Influencing European and international developments in the field of gender equality
    Nordiska institutet för kvinno- och könsforskning (The Nordic Institute for Women’s and Gender Research, NIKK) is founded and located at the University of Oslo.
2000
The Nordic Council of Ministers decides on the responsibility of all sectors for gender mainstreaming.
MR-JÄM approves the fourth co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 2001-2005.
Priority themes:
  • Mainstreaming a gender perspective in Nordic government budgets
  • Men and gender equality
  • Violence against women
2004
2006
2010
An anniversary seminar – 30 years of Nordic gender equality co-operation – is organised in Reykjavik.
MR-JÄM approves the fifth co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 2006-2010.
Priority themes:
  • Gender and power
  • Gender and young people
The sixth four-year programme for Nordic co-operation on gender equality 2011-2014 is drawn up under the Danish Presidency.
Priority themes:
  • Training and education
  • Labour market
  • Ethnicity
  • Violence
2004
An anniversary seminar – 30 years of Nordic gender equality co-operation – is organised in Reykjavik.
2006
MR-JÄM approves the fifth co-operation programme for Nordic gender equality work 2006-2010.
Priority themes:
  • Gender and power
  • Gender and young people
2010
The sixth four-year programme for Nordic co-operation on gender equality 2011-2014 is drawn up under the Danish Presidency.
Priority themes:
  • Training and education
  • Labour market
  • Ethnicity
  • Violence
2011 
2012
2013
Nordiska institutet för kvinno- och könsforskning (The Nordic Institute for Women’s and Gender Research, NIKK) ceases operations in connection with its reconfiguration into a Nordic co-operation body.
The co-operation body Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is located at the University of Gothenburg following a tender process in the Nordic region.
A Nordic fund for gender equality activities is established and the first call for project funding is issued.
2011 
Nordiska institutet för kvinno- och könsforskning (The Nordic Institute for Women’s and Gender Research, NIKK) ceases operations in connection with its reconfiguration into a Nordic co-operation body.
2012
The co-operation body Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is located at the University of Gothenburg following a tender process in the Nordic region.
2013
A Nordic fund for gender equality activities is established and the first call for project funding is issued.
2014
2015
2019 
The 40th anniversary of Nordic co-operation on gender equality policy is celebrated at the Nordic Forum in Malmö in June and at a conference in Reykjavik in August.
The seventh co-operation programme enters into force. It includes the following priorities:
  • Public spaces
  • Welfare and innovation
The eighth gender equality co-operation programme is adopted for the period 2019-2022. The priority themes are:
  • The future of work and growth
  • Welfare, health and quality of life
  • Power and influence
  • Gender equality work with a focus on men and masculinity
The programme is extended until 2024 and was expanded in 2020 when Nordic co-operation was extended to include LGBTI rights and opportunities in the Nordic region.
The 40th anniversary of Nordic co-operation on gender equality policy is celebrated at the Nordic Forum in Malmö in June and at a conference in Reykjavik in August.
2015
The seventh co-operation programme enters into force. It includes the following priorities:
  • Public spaces
  • Welfare and innovation
2019
The eighth gender equality co-operation programme is adopted for the period 2019-2022. The priority themes are:
  • The future of work and growth
  • Welfare, health and quality of life
  • Power and influence
  • Gender equality work with a focus on men and masculinity
The programme is extended until 2024 and was expanded in 2020 when Nordic co-operation was extended to include LGBTI rights and opportunities in the Nordic region.
2020 
2021
2024
In January, Nordic co-operation is expanded to include co-operation on equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic Region. The work is led by the Nordic ministers for gender equality, who make up the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI.
A Nordic LGBTI fund is launched to stimulate Nordic co-operation on LGBTI issues. The first call for proposals will be issued in September.
Preparation of a co-operation programme for gender equality and LGBTI 2025-2030 begins under the Swedish Presidency.
2020
In January, Nordic co-operation is expanded to include co-operation on equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic Region. The work is led by the Nordic ministers for gender equality, who make up the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI.
2021
A Nordic LGBTI fund is launched to stimulate Nordic co-operation on LGBTI issues. The first call for proposals will be issued in September.
2024
Preparation of a co-operation programme for gender equality and LGBTI 2025-2030 begins under the Swedish Presidency.
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