Key messages

Demographic challenges may drive new policy initiatives
Declining birth rates and demographic imbalances in the Nordic countries may lead to new family policy initiatives aimed at increasing fertility. Such policies may lead to an instrumental view of children and increased pressure on the reproductive role of women. If policies move in this direction, it would represent a reversal of Nordic family policy, which has focussed on the welfare of families with children rather than population numbers.

In the future, there is a need to pursue gender equality work with a broader perspective on equality and to highlight the situation of particularly vulnerable groups.

More initiatives to reduce the pay gap between jobs of equal value
The gender pay gap is closing in the Nordic countries. Progress has been particularly good in achieving equal pay for equal work. But new initiatives are needed to close the pay gap between jobs of equal value.

Need for continued dialogue and cooperation between the LGBTI movement and the women’s movement
Despite the history of the women’s movement and LGBTI movement making common cause in the struggle for equality reforms, there have been periods of opposition. In the past, part of the solution has been to start working together, in the same room, to build understanding. In recent years, a new division has emerged between the LGBTI movement and parts of the women’s movement on trans issues. Perhaps the solution this time too is to come together and start a dialogue.

Developments in reproductive technologies may lead to new regulatory challenges
With technological developments in reproduction, particularly in surrogacy and host motherhood, the Nordic countries will have to navigate new complex issues of bodily autonomy and ethics. Especially when it comes to balancing women’s rights with protection from exploitation.

Sexual and reproductive rights need to be defended
There is a global trend of restricting sexual and reproductive rights, such as the right to abortion, which is under threat in many places. The Nordic Region can contribute knowledge on these issues.

Link gender equality to climate change
It is a topic that was raised as far back as the 1990s, but has become even more relevant at a time when the consequences of humanity’s impact on the climate are becoming more and more evident. We recognise that men generally contribute more to climate change than women, while women are globally more affected by its consequences.

Nordic cooperation increasingly important in times of resistance
There is now growing opposition to gender equality and LGBTI rights in many parts of the world. The ongoing push-back may make Nordic cooperation more important. By working together, we can reach out more effectively internationally and continue to be an important voice on these issues, just as international bodies such as the UN and the EU have historically helped to put pressure on the Nordic countries on gender equality issues.

Questions of autonomy can energise gender equality work
Gender equality issues have been somewhat overshadowed by the more dominant issue of devolution in the autonomous regions. In the long run, these issues need not be in conflict with each other. They have the potential to strengthen each other, as both are about empowerment and having people’s rights realised.

Gender equality work needs to be knowledge-based
More facts and statistics are needed in gender equality work. Increasing knowledge about the roles and conditions of women and men in society enables change.

Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is a co-operation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers. NIKK collects and disseminates knowledge on policy and practice, facts and research in the field of gender equality and LGBTI issues with a Nordic and cross-sectoral perspective. NIKK’s remit also includes administering the Nordic Gender Equality Fund and the Nordic LGBTI Fund.