Goal 3: The Nordic Region must be free of gender-based and sexual violence, sexual victimisation and harassment and hate

Gender-based violence is an offence against the integrity of the individual and an expression of historically unequal power dynamics between men and women. Gender-based violence has serious negative consequences for the individual, the family and other close relations, and for society.

It is first and foremost women who are subjected to gender-based violence; however men are not immune. Gender-based violence can take the form of: Physical, psychological and economic intimate partner violence, honour-related violence, digital violence and abuse, sexual violence, rape and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. In extreme cases, and if action is not taken in a timely manner, domestic violence can lead to intimate partner homicide. Men are the main perpetrators of physical and psychological intimate partner violence. There is a need to expand effective efforts within the police and judiciary, and to deploy early preventative social measures which are aimed at both victims and perpetrators.

From 2017 onwards, the #MeToo movement has been leaving its mark all across the Nordic Region, and all Nordic countries have adopted initiatives to combat sexual harassment and victimisation as a result of this. Despite these efforts, both phenomena nonetheless continue to pose a challenge to gender equality at the individual, institutional and structural levels. Women in particular are vulnerable to sexual harassment and sexual victimisation in public spaces, at the workplace, at school and in other public settings – both offline and online. Intersectional perspectives on vulnerability are needed in order to better prevent and counteract sexual harassment and abuse.

Gender-based violence, sexual harassment and sexual victimisation also affect people who do not conform to traditional norms relating to gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, and many LGBTI people are disproportionately affected. In addition, many people also experience hate, threats and violence as a result of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or gender characteristics which are perceived as transgressing against the prevailing norms.