Our work

The Government appoints the Council for Gender Equality (Tane) for the same term of office as the current Parliament. The current council was appointed on 19 October 2023. Tane has appointed a Subcommittee on Gender, Economy, and Power and a Subcommittee on Men and Gender Equality. The subcommittees draw up their own action plans. In addition to subcommittees, Tane can set up working groups.

Priorities during the term

Strategic priorities constitute the cross-cutting themes for Tane’s term and their purpose is to guide the council’s work and enhance its impact. Tane sets out goals for the priority areas and monitors progress towards them during its term. Selection of the priorities is guided by the topical nature and relevance of the themes, and the aim is to focus on new and less highlighted gender equality aspects as well.

In addition to promoting its strategic priorities, Tane will also participate extensively in the debate on topical gender equality issues and carry out the task specified in the decree on the council.

When necessary, Tane will react to changes taking place in its operating environment and the political debate.

Priority 1: Gender equality in a rapidly digitalising world

Digitalisation has a significant impact on society and its members. For many years, Finland has worked to promote digitalisation in different sectors of society and in 2023 Finland reached the top place in an annual country comparison measuring the utilisation of digitalisation. 

The phenomenon has a wide range of impacts on gender equality. Digital transformation provides opportunities that can enhance gender equality. However, digitalisation may also put gender equality at risk. 

It is important to ensure that digitalisation progresses in a fair manner and that gender equality aspects are taken into account in the process so that all parties can benefit from the opportunities it creates.

Goals

  • Identifying gender-based impacts of digitalisation
  • Including gender equality and non-discrimination in the debate on artificial intelligence
  • Promoting gender equality and preventing discrimination in the development of digitalisation
  • Identifying the gender-based impacts of the transformation of work arising from digitalisation (such phenomena as platform economy, automation and artificial intelligence)
     

Priority 2: Security from the perspective of gender equality

Over the past few years, changes have taken place in our national and international operating environments that have impacted both national security and the experience and sense of security in many ways. 

Even though in societal and political debate, security is usually approached from the perspectives of external and internal security, they should not be treated as separate entities but as intertwined concepts. 

The gender equality perspective should also be addressed in the debate on changes in the national and international security environment. 

Goals

Tane will participate in the debate on security and changes in the security environment from the perspective of gender equality by highlighting the following themes:

  • Growing inequality and exclusion as a security issue.
  • Gender-based hate speech and violence.
  • International movements challenging gender equality.
  • National defence and Finland’s NATO membership.
  • Status of women in wars and conflicts, especially from the perspective of violence and war crimes experienced by women.
     

Statements and publications

Tane presents statements for the development of legislation affecting gender equality and other gender equality measures. Tane also has its own publishing activities. The latest statements and publications are published for the most part in Finnish on the Tane website. 

International cooperation

Tane is actively involved in the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and sends its representative to the CSW every year.

We meet with international delegations whenever possible. 

Meetings between ministers and other meetings

Promoting equality is the responsibility of all ministries and ministers. Tane meets with ministers, and invites decision-makers who can take Tane's gender equality policy objectives forward to its meetings.