Ombudsman for Equality

Milestones of gender equality

1864
Unmarried women receive full rights (when 25 years old)

1878
Women and men receive equal rights with regard to inheritance

1890
The first public kindergarten is established in Helsinki

1901
Women receive the right to study at university, on equal terms with men

1906
Women receive voting rights for national elections (the first country to do so in Europe) and the right to be electoral candidates (the first country to do so in the world)

1907
The first women join the first Parliament (19/200)

1908
Brothels in Helsinki closed down

1917
Women receive general voting rights for local government elections

1919
Wives gain a right to work without their husband's permission

1926
The Act on women's eligibility in state posts is passed
The first female minister for the Finnish government is instated

1930
The Marriage Act released wives from the guardianship of their husbands and wives are given the right to their own property

1937
The Act on Maternity Allowance is passed

1943
Statutory school meals are introduced

1944
Acts passed instituting local government maternity and child health care clinics and also local government health visitors

1961
The contraceptive pill is accepted

1962
The principle of equal pay for work of equal value is established both in the public and private sector

1970
The Abortion Act is passed
Human relationships and sex education become part of the school curriculum

1972
1st woman to be elected to be Minister of Finance

1975
1st woman to be elected to be Minister of Justice

1978
Parents gain the right to share parental leave

1985
The Act on Home Care Allowance is passed

1986
Finland ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw)
Women are allowed to keep their family name even when married
A child is entitled to have the mother's or father's family name

1987
The Act on Equality between Women and Men is passed

1990
Children up to the age of 3 are guaranteed a municipal child care place
The first woman in the world to become Minister of Defence

1992
A woman becomes University Principal

1994
A woman becomes the Speaker of the Parliament

1995
Partial amendment of Equality Act
First woman appointed as Secretary General of a government agency
Act on Women's Voluntary Military Service

1996
Cabinetís Equal Opportunity Programme (1996-1999)
Right to day care guaranteed for all pre-school children

2000
A woman becomes the President of the Republic of Finland
A woman becomes the Chancellor of the University of Turku

2003
1st woman to be elected to be Prime Minister

2005
1 st woman to be appointed as the president of the Supreme Court