Together for balance – social responsibility and social issues

The Government of the Faroe Islands has prepared a short paper with a position statement and plans on gender equality issues. With the publication “Together on Gender Equality”, the Government focuses on some of the challenging gender equality challenges in the Faroese society. At the same time, it is announced that work on updating the Gender Equality Act has begun.

The position paper is part of the Government’s joint work to ensure that the Faroe Islands becomes a society with equal obligations, opportunities and rights for all – regardless of gender.

Knowledge and knowledge must exist

The publication will include: declared that:

·       men own 2/3 of wage expenditure in society

·       women are still underrepresented in politics and leadership positions

· the labor market and education system are very gender divided

·       men take ridiculously short maternity leave

·       the demographic deficit of women, especially between 20-50 years, has major consequences for our society

The Gender Equality Act will be updated

The current Gender Equality Act dates from 1994. It is now being revised, updated and expanded. The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the Icelandic Parliament in the next session.

The upcoming changes include:

·       A new, tense-defining final word

·       Broader principles and general disclosure

·       Rules on sexual harassment and protection in the workplace

· Organizing the activities of the Gender Equality Office

· Requirements for employers and public institutions to work for gender equality

Equality across government issues

The government officials describe in the publication challenges, solutions and plans for their own areas of responsibility under the following headings:

·       Aksel V. Johannesen, Attorney General: Equal rights and equal access are core values

· Ruth Vang, finance: Women earn less than men for several reasons – gender equality and the economy are linked

· Sirið Stenberg, Foreign Affairs and Labour: Gender equality is a prerequisite for a sustainable working life, and we have committed ourselves to the International Convention on the Rights of Women

· Eirikur í Jákupsstovu, social and cultural affairs: Everyone should be based in Faroe Islands – gender equality issues are also social and cultural issues

·       Súsanna Bertholdsen, health issues: Men are living shorter lives and not going to the doctor as often – health services should be as accessible to women as men

· Bjarni Kárason Petersen, Legal Affairs: The equality we strive for must be reflected in the legislation

· Djóni Nolsøe Joensen, children and education: Gender equality begins in childhood

· Margit Stórá, environmental issues: Sustainable social development requires that both sexes have equal access to green solutions and housing opportunities

Gender issues are a shared responsibility

The position paper “Together on Gender Equality” and the forthcoming bill show that gender equality challenges are a shared responsibility, and that all the country’s authorities are involved in this work.

See the position paper “Together for Gender Equality” here.

For more information, please contact:

The Icelandic Council for Public and Cultural Affairs: [email protected]

[email protected]