The Past, Present and Future: Women Empowerment in Finland

International Women’s Day is not only a day to celebrate — it is a moment to reflect on progress and acknowledge the work that still lies ahead. In this powerful piece, our Communications Volunteer, Chishimba Ngulube takes us on a journey through Finland’s remarkable history of women’s empowerment. From being the first country to grant full political rights to women, to the leadership of figures like Helvi Sipilä and Sanna Marin, Finland has paved the way for gender equality.

But the journey isn’t over. As we embrace this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, read more about the milestones, the ongoing challenges, and the collective action needed to shape a more equal future.

 #Accelerate Action is the 2025 theme for International Women’s Day. This embodies the need for urgent and increased speed in the cause to promote equality and gender parity. Much has been done to empower women over the years, but there is still more left to be done and a long road lies ahead of us.
 
The early 1900’s set the stage for Finland’s role in the world as an exemplary trailblazer during the onset of the women's empowerment movement in public life.In 1906, women received the right to vote and stand in elections in Finland. In the following year,19 women were elected to parliament. Women made up 9.5% of parliamentary representation. As recently as the year 2023, women have held 46% of parliamentary seats in Finland (Finland Gender Equality).

As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it. -  Judge Ruth Bader Gingsburg

Over 100 years later, a look into the past shows how women have played an important role in pushing forward the fight for equal rights. Helvi Sipilä is one example. She was a Finnish lawyer and diplomat who championed women's rights and served as the first female Assistant-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She is said to have been a determined woman who fought for the improvement of the Status of Women in many countries and left no stone unturned when bringing women inequality concerns forward in her line of work.

"I like to make known how much one person can do. I have always been an enthusiastic helper myself and wanted to show how others could help too." - Helvi Sipilä

​The former prime minister Sanna Marin marked a historical period with her leading a newly formed coalition government alongside a female majority of cabinet ministers in 2019 (YLE News). This exemplified gender-parity and the world witnessed female representation at the highest level of government. Under her leadership, Finland saw reforms in parental leave which contributed to equality in child caregiving in homes; and legislation on Gender Based Violence - which essentially strengthened protection for women relating to sexual offences and harassment (Ministry of Social Affairs) . 

While many milestones have been achieved in relation to gender equality, more can be done to improve gender equity and equality. According to UN Women, there is still a disparity in relation to unpaid care and domestic work done by women and girls versus men from the ages of 15 and above. In 2018, women between the ages of 15 - 49 had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in a period of 12 months. In December 2024,  a significant portion of data (about 43%) was unavailable with missing information on the gender pay gap which is an essential factor in understanding key labour market indicators. 

The current government recently launched their resolution on an Action Plan for Gender Equality for the years 2024 - 2027 with a thematic focus on institutional structures of gender equality policy; education; inclusion and decision-making; working life violence; and international cooperation. 100 years from now, generations will look back at the strides made and the path set - that is why the concept of Accelerate Action is an important theme to reflect on during this year's International Women's day festivities that fall on March 8th, 2025. ​

Written by: chishimba ngulube