Ombudsman for Equality

Discrimination in other spheres of life

The Finnish Equality Act covers almost all spheres of life. Exceptions include family relations and other personal relationships, and religious practices.

Special anti-discrimination rules are in force in many areas. These include provisions against discrimination in the workplace, in educational institutions, in the activities of labour market organisations, and in the provision and availability of goods and services (Sections 8–8(e) of the Finnish Equality Act).

The Finnish Equality Act also includes a general prohibition of discrimination (Section 7 of the Finnish Equality Act). The general prohibition can be resorted to when there are no applicable special rules.

Consequences of violating the general prohibition of discrimination:

• Violations of the general prohibition of discrimination governed by the Finnish Equality Act are not punishable by the usual compensation penalty, but offenders can be ordered by a court to compensate the victim under the provisions of the Finnish Tort Liability Act.
• The Finnish Ombudsman for Equality can refer cases involving violations of the general prohibition of discrimination to the Finnish Equality Board. The Finnish Equality Board can prohibit further discriminatory practice, if necessary, under penalty of a fine.

The following are examples of cases brought to the Finnish Ombudsman for Equality with regard to the general prohibition of discrimination:

• A local authority practice according to which income support is awarded, addressed and paid into the account of the spouse or partner of married or cohabiting female applicants unless otherwise specified in the application
• A practice according to which men and women are reimbursed differently for osteoporosis drugs
• A medical screening practice according to which screening is used to detect breast cancer and cervical cancer but not prostate cancer
• A practice according to which the requirements set for the length of hair and muscle strength are different for men and women enrolled in military service.