Strategy for gender equality in the labour market
The objective of gender equality policy is equal power for women and men to shape society and their own lives. Gender equality also contributes to economic growth by promoting and drawing on people's skills and creativity.
Photo: Matton
Despite decades of efforts to promote gender equality, the labour market and business sector are still marked by a lack of gender equality. For instance, there are still differences in opportunities for men and women to enter the labour market, remain and develop in their working life and combine work and family life. The lack of gender equality can also be seen, for example, in pay differentials, unequal career opportunities, gender differences in sick leave, an unequal division of parental insurance and an under-representation of women in executive positions.
In June 2009, the Government presented a strategy for gender equality in the labour market and the business sector. The strategy contains both an analysis and a description of specific measures aimed at promoting equal opportunities for women and men to develop their potential in the labour market and the business sector. More than 60 measures have been presented, including the investment of SEK 235 million from the gender equality appropriation in special initiatives.
The strategy contains initiatives to:
- Combat gender divisions in the labour market and business sector
- Promote gender-equal conditions for entrepreneurship
- Increase gender-equal participation in working life
- Enhance gender equality in working life conditions
