*1.1.-30.6.2021.

O.Reply to paragraph 15 of the list of issues and questions

93.No amendments referred to in the List of Issues have been made to the Aliens Act (301/2004). The residence permit practice relating to victims of THB was investigated in a study carried out by the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, which acts as the national rapporteur on THB. According to the National Action Plan against THB, the application of the provision of the Aliens Act on suspicion of selling sex as grounds for denial of admittance or stay will be reviewed and the need for legislative amendments and to develop practices assessed.

94.The latest amendments of the Criminal Code concerning THB offences came into force on 1 January 2015. The purpose of the amendments was to clarify the difference between THB offences and pimping and to make sure that the legislation is better in line with international obligations concerning THB. The amendments were to result in THB offences being investigated and prosecuted as THB offences rather than pimping. One of the changes was to remove “or pressures” from the pimping provision (section 9, chapter 20) and to add “or by pressuring another” to the THB provision (section 3, chapter 25). Furthermore, the references to grievous bodily harm, a serious illness or a state of mortal danger or comparable particularly grave suffering already included in the provision on aggravated THB (Section 3(a), chapter 25) were removed from the provision on aggravated pimping (section 9 (a), chapter 20). THB provision was clarified to cover also situations where the victim has not lost his or her liberty but is under the mental control of the offender.

95.The National Action Plan against THB was adopted in May 2021. The Action Plan is based on five strategic objectives: (1) Victims of THB are reached and identified, exploitation is detected by the authorities; (2) victims of THB receive the assistance and support they need; (3) criminal liability is established in THB offences; (4) THB is combated together and on a wide front; and (5) anti-trafficking action is developed on a data-driven basis) and 55 actions. Actions included in the plan are to be non-discriminatory and their implementation must promote gender equality and an approach that acknowledges gender diversity. The Plan aims to implement also the Committee’s previous recommendations.

96.The post of Government Anti-Trafficking Coordinator was established in 2014. Originally in the Ministry of the Interior, the post was transferred to the Ministry of Justice in 2020. The new national anti-trafficking unit of the police was established by the National Police Board in February 2021. The Assistance System has been in operation since 2006. In addition, the National Prosecution Authority has established its own network of prosecutors specialized in THB cases.

97.The National Action Plan against THB includes actions that seek to enhance cooperation between different authorities and other relevant actors. It was prepared by an intersectional working group and the preparations were led by the Anti‑Trafficking Coordinator. One of the main priorities in the preparation of the Action Plan was to put coordination on an established footing, to strengthen cooperation, and to mainstream anti-trafficking action.

98.The police work closely with the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator to implement the Action Plan. The Assistance System is in ongoing dialogue with the coordinator.

99.The police and the Assistance have a well-established co-operation and good operational co-operation relations between the System and the anti-trafficking unit. The police refers victims to the Assistance System in accordance with the National Police Board’s guidelines. The Assistance System provides support to the police in removing victims of THB from a non-EU country from Finland.

100.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has set up a working group to reform the legislation concerning assistance of victims. A government proposal is expected to be submitted to Parliament at the end of 2022.

101.The Assistance System organizes training for public and private sector professionals, including police and other law enforcement officials, prosecutors, social workers, immigration officials, public authorities at regional and local level and prison and probation services, and to NGOs on THB and victim identification, also in cooperation with other professionals. In the National Plan against THB, trainings are also envisaged to private entities such as civil air travel staff. The trainings include information on THB for sexual exploitation and forced marriages.

102.The Finnish Immigration Service has in October 2020 updated a protocol on assessing cases of potential victims of THB. This protocol applies to the whole agency and includes measures to be followed in the process of identification. It takes into account the gender perspective in giving an overview of different types of THB and recognising that some of the types are gender based.

103.The different units of the Immigration Service provide more detailed and targeted training and guidelines for their officials, including training on gender sensitive topics, such as THB. Female interprets and interviewers are used, unless there is a specific reason to use male interprets and/or interviewers. Officials are also provided with different training modules by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) on gender, THB, and vulnerable persons.

104.The reception system collaborate also with the Assistance System to train on gender sensitive topics related to THB.

105.The police have provided training on combatting THB for all departments in co‑operation with the Assistance System. The topic has also been included in the initial and further training of the police. A separate training course on combatting THB is carried out in 2021–2022.

P.Reply to paragraph 16 of the list of issues and questions

106.The National Action Plan against THB contains actions, which aim to strengthen the work against THB for the purpose of sexual exploitation. A cooperation network between authorities and CSOs is to be constructed. Funding of EUR 140 000 is addressed to a CSO coordinated development project to strengthen the capacities in identifying THB related to gendered violence and sexual abuse, promoting its detection and referring victims to assistance.

107.An examination into why the provisions of the Criminal Code concerning abuse of a victim of sexual trade are only seldom applied will be carried out. The findings, including practical proposals that can improve authorities’ actions and the enforcement of criminal liability are estimated to be published at the end of 2021.

108.According to the Government’s Action Plan for Gender Equality (2020–2023), a survey on the current situation of prostitution in Finland will be conducted.

Q.Reply to paragraph 17 of the list of issues and questions

109.In November 2021, 91 of the 200 members of Parliament were women.

110.Majority of the candidates in the municipal elections have always been men. In the elections 2021, 21,480 of the candidates were men and 14,147 women, i.e. 39.7% per cent, which is 0.2 percentage points lower than in 2017.

111.Finland has 8 women members of the European Parliament (EP) out of 14 members in total.

112.Regarding women in high-level positions in municipalities in 2021, 34.5% of the chairpersons of the council and 35.5% of the chairpersons of the board are women. In the councils 40.2% of the members were women.

113.In the Sámi Parliament, out of the 21 members and 4 deputy members, 8 members and 1 deputy are women. Out of the 7 members of the executive board, 3 members (one a vice chair) are women.

114.Women were granted the right to apply for military service and military careers in 1995. Female officers are promoted according to the same principles as male officers, and currently the highest military rank of female officer is a lieutenant colonel. Out of senior officers currently on permanent duty there are 453 male Lieutenant Colonels and 3 female and 968 male Majors and 21 female. In 2020, 2.8% of the officers and 2.2% of the special officers were women. In 2018, of the 4,734 commissioned officers 102 were women and of the 3,167 non-commissioned officers 202 were women. Of all the staff, 18.7% were women in 2020, and 1,100 women entered military service (voluntary) (22,846 men).

115.In 2019, 63% of the judges were women.

116.One third, i.e. 10 members of all 30 members of the Parliament of Åland are women. Before the parliamentary elections in 2019, the Government of Åland decided that a monetary gender equality bonus be given to those political parties which had gender equal candidate lists. However, the goal to achieve a more gender equal parliament was not attained. In 2022, a parliamentary committee will be set up to discuss measures to be taken to achieve a more gender equal parliament in the elections of 2023.

R.Reply to paragraph 18 of the list of issues and questions

117.Equality and non-discrimination plans are compulsory in all educational levels except early childhood education. The legislation to extend this to the early childhood education is supposed to be ready in the beginning of 2023.

118.The equality and non-discrimination plans have been evaluated in the primary and lower secondary education. The main outcome was that although the work is generally done in most of the schools about 40% of the plans do not meet all the criteria described in the Act.

119.The objective of reducing gender segregation in guidance counselling is included in the guidance counselling development programme.

120.EDUFI is in the curriculum support materials promoting women and girls to choose non-traditional fields of education and career paths. The curriculum promotes gender equality, special attention to this is paid in guidance and career counselling.

121.Early childhood education is gender sensitive, promotes equality and aims to break down stereotypes. Equality is emphasised in the value basis, educational goals and learning environments. Children are met as individuals, not representatives of their gender.

122.Government-funded LUMA Centre Finland, a science education network of universities closely related to all teacher education, includes activities to inspire girls to study science-, technology, engineering- and mathematics-related subjects (STEM). The upcoming national STEM strategy will include statements of gender equality and parity in opportunities for education.

123.The Government of Åland supports projects of the third sector dealing with gender norms and values in schools, in order to encourage boys and girls to make non-traditional educational choices.

S.Reply to paragraph 19 of the list of issues and questions

124.Under the legislation concerning schools, students have the right to a safe learning environment comprising of psychological, social and physical factors. The obligation to intervene in sexual harassment is statutory. Sexual harassment constitutes also discrimination prohibited under the Equality Act, and the Health Care Act lays down an obligation to conduct triennial checks on the health and safety of school environments and psychosocial welfare, covering also sexual harassment and the practices associated with it.

125.Notwithstanding secrecy provisions, education and social and health care service staff have the obligation to notify the police when they have reason to believe, due to facts that have become known to them while performing their duties, that a child has been exposed to an act punishable as a sex offence under the Criminal Code, or an act punishable as homicide or bodily injury under the Criminal Code, the maximum punishment for which is imprisonment for at least two years.

126.The Pupil and Student Welfare Act obliges educational institutions to prepare a plan for protecting students from violence, bullying and harassment. The psychologist’s and social worker’s services support the students’ learning and welfare as well as their social and psychological capabilities. Pupil and student welfare promotes the students’ health, physical and psychological growth and development, well-being and ability to study. Using student welfare services is always voluntary for a student.

127.The Ministry of Education and Culture is funding a project that aims to strengthen children’s emotional and interaction skills and prevent bullying in early childhood education settings. The project continues until the end of year 2022.

128.The action plan to prevent bullying, violence and harassment in schools and educational institutions was published in 2021. Promoting equality and non‑discrimination is an integral part of the Action Plan. According to the Plan, pedagogical competence related to promoting wellbeing and preventing loneliness and bullying will be defined as a priority area in the continuing professional education of staff and management over the next three years. Moreover, the harassment contact persons’ activities within higher education institutions will be strengthened. In addition, the objective is to increase the competence of higher education communities in equality planning and its practical implementation.

129.In the new general senior secondary education core curriculum sex and gender questions are included in health education (sexuality, sexual health and sexual rights), philosophy (gender and power), psychology (gender and sexual identity, gender and sexual diversity), ethics (identity, gender and sexual diversity, intersectionality), history (gender roles) and biology.

130.One of the main themes in 2020–2023 in the continuing education and training is promotion of inclusion, wellbeing and safety and prevention of bullying in learning communities, sexual harassment being mentioned separately. Moreover, in order to improve teachers’ capabilities related to the promotion of wellbeing and safety, higher education institutions are encouraged to increase these contents for teachers’ basic education. TEF deals with measures related to wellbeing and the prevention of bullying in teacher education.

131.The Finnish National Agency for Education has published a guide on preventing and intervening in sexual harassments at schools and educational institutions.

132.The Defence Forces’ national plan for gender equality and non-discrimination was drafted in 2007 and revised in 2017. According to the plan, principles of equality and non-discrimination should be followed in all planning, actions, and leadership. A working atmosphere that is respectful towards gender equality and non‑discrimination must be paid attention to within each administrative unit.

133.The plan stipulates also, e.g. that unwarranted discrimination is not accepted in any form. People must have an equal and fair opportunity to participate in training, be promoted, receive equal remuneration, and be treated equally. The intentional or factual offending of a person or category of people is unacceptable.

134.Moreover, everyone must have access to the instructions on how to manage harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Brigade-level units and teaching establishments must ensure that everyone knows how to act when they witness disturbance, harassment, or bullying. The rights and obligations of each soldier regarding gender equality and non-discrimination were added to the General Regulations and the Soldier’s Handbook.

135.As of 2021, the sexuality education based on the curriculum of comprehensive school in the Åland Islands contains an increased amount of discussion on the themes of gender norms, relations and LGBTH issues in addition to reproductive health.

T.Reply to paragraph 20 of the list of issues and questions

136.The gender pay gap between men and women is on average 16% in all labour sectors. During the 2016–2019 tripartite Equal Pay Programme the gap reduced from 17% to 16%. The economic crisis has affected the pace of potential pay increases. In 2016, the central labour market organisations negotiated a “Competitiveness Pact”; no pay raises in 12 months, some structural changes (average 24 working hours/year without compensation) and holiday bonuses were cut by 30% in the public sector in 2017–2019. The possibilities to reduce the gender pay gap were challenging. The key objective of the 2020–2023 Equal Pay Programme is to narrow the average gender pay gap more effectively than in previous programme periods.

137.The measures under the aforementioned Programme include e.g. increasing pay awareness, reporting on the effects of collective agreements on women’s and men’s pay and pay gap, supporting the reconciliation of work and family life and dismantling the traditional gender-based division of labour. Measures taken by labour market organisations include a survey for unions on how collective agreements promote pay systems based on the demands of work and a recommendation on the gender impact assessments of collective agreements.

138.Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has launched several projects, based on the Government Programme, to reduce the gender pay gap. The project to dismantle the gender segregation of working life will operate in 2021–2023 and produce a new, permanent model and a regional cooperation structure to dismantle gender segregation in working life especially in strongly segregated sectors. Other projects concern the development of the pay systems to support equal pay for work of equal value, and gender impact assessment of the main collective agreements to promote gender impact assessment as a means of achieving equal pay.

139.The 2021–2022 project “Work of Equal Value” will look at the assessment of the complexity of work and work of equal value.

140.The gender pension gap is mostly due to gender pay gap and segregated labour market. Salaries and careers in general have an impact on earning-related pension accruals. A project in 2018–2020 focused on promoting gender equality of pensions. It e.g. compiled and distributed information about the pension gap to decision-makers and citizens.

141.The Government is preparing its proposal for the reform due to enter into force in August 2022. The reform will give both parents each a quota of 160 daily allowance days per child. A parent will be allowed to transfer up to 63 daily allowance days of their own quota to the other parent, other custodian, their spouse or the spouse of the other parent. There will also be a pregnancy allowance period for the 40 final days of pregnancy bringing the total to 360 days, roughly two months higher than presently.

142.Furthermore, the reform promotes flexible working hours and arrangements. A right to unpaid careers’ leave for up to five days per year would be introduced for situations where e.g. a relative suddenly needs help.

143.The reform implements both the objectives of the Government Programme and the changes resulting from the EU’s Work-life Balance Directive, and aims to promote gender equality in working life and facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life. The reform encourages fathers to take better advantage of the family leave system and greater responsibility for childcare. Greater consideration will be given to the equal treatment of diverse families. Single parents would have the right to use the parental allowance quotas of both parents.

144.Efforts to narrow the pay gap between women and men in the Åland Islands are included in the action plan of the Government of Åland and are already under way in the form of pay surveys.

U.Reply to paragraph 21 of the list of issues and questions

145.Finland has not launched separate policy measures to promote employment for women with disabilities. Several indicators indicate that women’s situation in the labour market is somewhat better, when it comes to women with disabilities. Women account for slightly more than half (51%) of the unemployed jobseekers with disabilities, which reflects their share of the working-age population. Women with disabilities seem to have a lesser risk for prolonged unemployment. For example, unemployment ends within three months of the onset of unemployment more often for disabled women than disabled men. Average length of unemployment is on average 7 weeks shorter for women compared for men (27 vs. 34 weeks).

146.In 2019, a total of 24.2% of the beneficiaries receiving disability pension from the earnings-related pension scheme worked at the same time. At the end of 2019, women accounted for 65% of all such persons. Women accumulate slightly more months of work per year than men. This derives at least from the fact that disability pension is granted more often as a partial pension and is more common in the female-dominated public sector. By default, receivers of partial disability pensions are expected to have a part time work and to receive part of their incomes from earnings. About 80% of those on partial disability pension are in work. In addition, women’s average pension is 75% of men’s average pension, which at least partially encourages increasing income through employment.

147.Women are seen to participate in working life through services more often than men, regardless of the service provider. For example, 55.2% of those who received training or a try-out as a public employment service were women in 2020. This in turn leads gender differences in employment results. Un 2020, 58% of the unemployed with disabilities who had found employment on the open labour market were women.

148.In 2019, 65.6% of those receiving vocational rehabilitation from the earnings-related pension scheme were women and 55.5% of those receiving corresponding rehabilitation organised by the Social Insurance institution of Finland were women.

149.The Government of Åland has trained migrants to guide their peers on social and health care issues, including gender equality, in their native language.

V.Reply to paragraph 22 of the list of issues and questions

150.The Parliament accepted the Government proposal on health and social service reform in summer 2021. The reform aims e.g. to reduce inequalities in health and wellbeing; safeguard equal and quality health and social services for all; improve the availability and accessibility, and ensure the availability of skilled labour. There will be 21 wellbeing service counties and a city of Helsinki that would be entrusted with the health and social services duties that are currently the responsibility of local municipalities. The reform will also strengthen the central government’s role in guidance and direction of the health and social services.

151.In relation to mental health services and suicide prevention, the legislative drafting process reforming the right to self-determination and mental health and substance abuse services in order to improve mental health services and their availability has been commenced, in accordance with the Government programme. Also, a national mental health strategy 2020–2030 was published in February 2020.

152.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is preparing legislative proposals regarding the transgender persons (so-called Trans Act). The Ministry appointed, in 2019, a preparatory working group to map out alternative ways to develop legislation concerning transgender persons and other gender minorities. The Group published its report in January 2020. The preparation is continued by a working group set up in 2021 that will prepare the legislative proposal, which is to be submitted to Parliament in spring 2022. The law should enter into force the same year. The views of international human rights bodies as well as the international and domestic human rights organisations will be taken into account in the process. The new legislation will strengthen the fulfilment of individual’s right to self-determination. A follow-up and evaluation group has been appointed. It consists of representatives of civil society, health care, and Ombudsmen.

153.Abortion is performed by health care professionals. In 2019, there were approximately 8,700 abortions, i.e. approximately 7.7 abortions per thousand women of childbearing age (15–49 years).

154.The Finnish Immigration Service has prepared guidelines on initial health examinations for asylum seekers, detained aliens and victims of THB to promote the implementation of health care, as well as the high-quality and uniform operation of reception centres and detention units when carrying out initial health checks.

155.Asylum seekers, detained persons and undocumented victims of THB (who have been referred and admitted to the Assistance System) are entitled to essential health services based on an assessment of the individual need for treatment.

156.In general, the municipalities do not offer free contraception, but municipalities do provide contraceptive advice.

157.In 2020, 136 new HIV infections were detected (2.5 per 100,000), 74 % in men. By the end of 2020, a total of 4,326 HIV infections had been diagnosed in Finland. In 2020, thirteen new cases of AIDS were reported, eight of them by Finns and five by foreigners.

158.Occurrence of other sexually transmitted diseases between 1995–2001: Syphilis 4885 infections, 206 in 2020; Gonorrhea 8231 infections, 439 in 2020; Chlamydia 350,661 infections, 5,174 in 2020.

W.Reply to paragraph 23 of the list of issues and questions

159.According to the Government Programme, the Ministry of Justice has prepared a National Action Programme to combat racism and to promote good relations for 2021–2023. Gender equality is mainstreamed throughout the implementation and evaluation of the Programme. Multiple discrimination will be discussed especially in the various training and capacity-building activities.

160.In October 2021, the Government appointed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sámi People. The aim is to collect Sámi people’s experiences of the actions of the state and its various authorities and to make this information visible to the public. The Prime Minister’s Office is responsible for the process.

161.The accessibility plan for higher education and higher education institutions was published in 2021. It includes a review of how social, regional and linguistic equality is realised in higher education and presents objectives and policies for promoting accessibility specifically for under-represented population groups and minority groups.

162.The Ministry of Education and Culture has awarded grants for collaborative and networked projects to develop teachers’ pre-service, introductory education and life-long professional learning. The project called Ketterä korkeakoulu introduces new and more effective models for the training of Sámi and Sámi teachers. The Ministry of Education and Culture is also funding a pilot project (2018–2021) for utilizing remote connections in teaching of Sámi languages. The University of Oulu has a quota for Sámi speakers in teacher training in early childhood education and care. The national Human Rights Center has provided new training course and material for teachers on rights of indigenous peoples.

163.A report on the overall situation of female prisoners by the Criminal Sanctions Agency, published in 2020, showed that the situation of female prisoners needs to be improved. A project was set up for 2020–2023. Female prisoners can now be placed in two open prisons intended exclusively for women nationwide. The same is in progress in closed prisons: female prisoners will get separate prison wards.

164.In general, the same rehabilitation services are available to male and female prisoner. One programme is directed specifically for women addressing themes e.g. rehabilitation options, self-esteem, parenthood, criminal behaviour and substance abuse. A trauma-informed approach has become important with female prisoners. Neuropsychiatric disorders and mental health problems are observed more often than in the case of male prisoners.

165.The health care and mental health care services are provided by the Health Care Services for Prisoners, part of the public social welfare and health care system. If needed, prisoners may be transferred to the Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners or a public hospital outside the prison. Prisoners can also be placed in a substance rehabilitation institution outside the prison.

166.The Åland Islands have a disability policy programme (2017–2020), which will be updated in 2022.

X.Reply to paragraph 24 of the list of issues and questions

167.A gender perspective is integrated in national climate change adaptation policy making according to national legislation, namely the Equality Act. Women and men have equal rights of representation and of ownership of land and natural resources such as water and forests.

168.Women are well represented in the preparation of national adaptation policy and hold various leading positions in national preparatory bodies and monitoring groups related to climate change adaptation policy. Gender is also routinely included in climate change vulnerability assessments along with other factors influencing vulnerability and adaptive capacity.

169.Finland is strongly committed to implementing the enhanced Lima work programme on gender and its gender action plan. Gender-policy has been mainstreamed in Finnish climate policy. Finland has prepared gender impact assessments in relation to climate policy (2017 and 2021). A working group on gender mainstreaming has been established in the Ministry of Environment.

170.Women are strongly represented in climate leadership positions. Finland’s current and previous chief negotiators for the UNFCCC have been women, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change is a woman, as is the next minister to follow in a rotation in the summer of 2022, and the current and the previous youth delegates at the UN climate negotiations have been female. Finland also has a national gender focal point to the UNFCCC. The Finnish Prime Minister (a woman) is leading the high level Climate Change Policy Roundtable. The Equality Act also includes a gender quota provision, which applies also to the Finnish Climate Change Panel.

171.Gender is one of the cross-cutting topics of Finland´s development policy, including climate finance. A recent study of the National Audit office of Finland examines the gender impacts of Finland’s climate financing (Briefing paper: The objectives of climate finance include empowering women and girls – National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi)).

172.Plan International Finland recently published a report focusing on gender and climate foreign policy.

II.Annexes

1.Statistics on population.

2.Statistics on contacts to the Ombudsman for Equality.

3.Statistics on violence and harassment.

4.Statistics on THB reported to police.