Ombudsman for Equality

Promoting equality

The aim of the Equality Act is, not only to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex or gender, but to promote equality between women and men, and, for this purpose, to improve the status of women, particularly in working life.

Each employer shall promote gender equality within working life purposefully and systematically.

Bodies arranging training and education shall provide equal opportunities for education and occupational advancement for women and men.

Promotion of equality is considered the official duty of the authorities. The duty applies to all authorities and employees working both for the state and the municipalities. The duty to promote equality applies to all fields of public administration from data communications and community planning to social, health and education services and law enforcement.

Mainstreaming gender equality means that the aim to promote equality is taken into account, for example, in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and assessment of different matters by the authorities, as well as in performance guidance work and budgeting.

Promotion of equality extends to the availability and provision of services. The provision of services refers to services produced by both public authorities and private sector operators that state and municipal authorities offer as public services, such as social, educational, training, cultural, employment, transport or leisure-time services. The provision applies to the provision of both statutory and discretionary services.