Report: Opposition to gender equality in the Nordic countries
Recent research points to growing, coordinated opposition to gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and LGBTQI+ rights across Europe, yet its effects on practitioners remain under-researched. This study offers an initial assessment of the extent, forms, and impacts of such opposition in the Nordic countries.
Title: Opposition to gender equality in the Nordic countries. Encounters with anti-gender politics across civil society, academia and government.
Author: Associate Professor (Title of Docent) Julian Honkasalo, University of Helsinki
Report launch: Thursday 4 June 2026
Time: 13:00-14:15 (GMT +3)
Location: Online (event link will be sent to attendees prior to the event)
Organised by the Council for Gender Equality in Finland (Tane) and the Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations (NYTKIS)
The report and launch event is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Please, register by Tuesday, 2 June.
Programme
- Opening remarks: Ministerial Adviser Hanna Onwen-Huma (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland)
- Presentation of the results: Associate Professor (title of docent) Julian Honkasalo (University of Helsinki)
- Commentaries: Associate Professor Ov Cristian Norocel (Lund University, Sweden), Professor Tuija Saresma (University of Eastern Finland, Finland)
- Discussion
About the report
The report provides an initial assessment of the extent and impact of opposition encountered in gender equality advancement work and LGBTQI+ rights advocacy in the Nordic countries. The report explores key questions such as:
- Do experts in gender equality advancement encounter opposition to their work?
- How frequent is the encountered opposition, and what are the main forms of it?
- What is the concrete impact of encountered opposition on gender equality work?
- What preventive foresight strategies and support mechanisms have been most beneficial?
The report is based on a qualitative online survey conducted among public officials, civil society organisations, and academics working on gender equality issues across the Nordic region.
