Violence against women is an important issue to be addressed in gender equality politics and in gender research. The question of violence is prominent at the international and national levels. In Finland violence against women was perceived to be a part of gender equality politics in the 1990's as a result of international pressure. As a research topic and a matter of public concern it has gained ground only recently, at the beginning of the 21st Century.

In addition to violence against women, attention is focused on the broader connections between gender and violence. Research has been done for example of men and children as victims and of women as perpetrators.

This Minna's theme page includes references and links to relevant source material under the topic of violence and gender in Finland. The information is divided into three sections:

Gendered violence

Violence in the lives of children and the youth

Support systems, legislation and court cases

Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women

In connection with adopting the Action Plan for Gender Equality 2008-2011, the Finnish Government took the decision to initiate a cross-sectoral National Action Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women.

The Government was keen to put in motion such a plan because there had been no national programmes in this area since the 1998-2002 project for the prevention of prostitution and violence against women. This had prompted comments to the Finnish Government from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

A total of 60 proposed measures are listed. The Action Plan proceeds from an evaluation of the present state of  violence against women and an overview of areas not covered by previous  programmes of action. The national Action Plan has been designed to respect  the international conventions and treaties that Finland has signed.

Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women (2010), entire publication in English (pdf, 518 KB)