Gender Equality Policy in Sweden

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Gender equality policy in Sweden

A feminist Government Content

A feminist Government...... 3

The Swedish gender equality policy ...... 4

Gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive budgeting ...... 5

The implementation of gender mainstreaming in Government agencies (GMGA) ...... 6

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency ...... 7

Three important welfare reforms to promote gender equality in

Sweden ...... 8

Gender equal division of power and influence ...... 10

Economic gender equality...... 12

Gender equal education ...... 13

Gender equal health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) ...... 14

Preventing and combating men’s violence against women ...... 15

Prostitution and trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation ...... 16

Sexual offence legislation based on consent...... 17

Involving men and boys in gender equality and promoting healthier gender norms ...... 18

Production: Ministry of Employment Photos: Page 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 19: Folio. Page 3: Kristian Pohl, Page 6: Ninni Andersson. Graphs (Source): Page 9: Statistics Sweden. Page 11: The Swedish Parliament and The 2019 budget bill. Page 18: Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

2 A feminist Government

Sweden has a feminist The Government is committed to pointed its first Ambassador for Government. In practice, this achieving this objective through a Gender Equality, a function that means a commitment to building policy agenda that reduces inequa- also leads the coordination of the a society in which women and lity and stereotypical gender roles feminist foreign policy. Gender men, girls and boys can live their and structures. equality is not only a goal in itself lives to their full potential. This is but also a prerequisite for sustai- a human right and a matter of de- Gender equality is central to all nable development, and an essen- mocracy and justice. Gender equ- decision-making and resource al- tial part of the solution to many ality is also part of the solution to location. Translated into feminist of the challenges we face in our society’s challenges and a mat- foreign policy, this means focu- time, nationally as well as globally. ter of course in a modern welfa- sing on strengthening women’s re state - for justice and economic and girls’ rights, representation This material provides an over- development. and resources. In order to do so, view of main areas of the measures must be based on reali- Government policy on gender Gender equality has been reco- ty and knowledge, and able to de- equality. It describes current poli- gnised as a separate policy area in liver results that make a differen- tical goals and strategies and gives Sweden since the early 70s, and ce. We need analyses that apply a a brief historical background to the progress made towards gender rights and gender equality per- important reforms. It also identi- equality started even before that. spective and shed light on the glo- fies further remaining challeng- Since then Sweden has shown bal inequality between girls and es and explains how the feminist clear results in terms of high le- boys, and women and men. Using Government is addressing these vels of employment and growth. data disaggregated by sex and age and what measures are taken in These developments did not hap- is essential. In 2015, Sweden ap- order to initiate change. pen by themselves. They have come about as a result of political dialogue, together with hard work from a strong civil society and the women’s movement. Despite a number of important achieve- ments made towards gender equality, challenges remain and there is still work to do for the feminist Government.

A feminist Government ensures that a gender equality perspective is brought into policy-making on a broad front, both nationally and internationally. The overall objective of the Swedish gender equality policy is that women and Märta Stenevi, Minister Ann Linde, Minister for men shall have the same power to for Gender Equality Foreign Affairs shape society and their own lives.

3 The Swedish gender equality policy

The overall objective guiding the Swedish gender equality policy clarifies that women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives. With this as its starting point, the Government is working towards six sub-goals.

1. Equal distribution of 3. Gender equality in 5. Gender equality in health, power and influence education care and social services

Women and men must have the Women and men, girls and boys Women and men, girls and boys same rights and opportunities to must have the same opportuni- must have the same conditions be active citizens and to shape the ties and conditions with regard to for a good health and be offered conditions for decision-making in education, study options and per- care and social services on equal all sectors of society. sonal development. terms.

2. Economic gender 4. An equal distribution of 6. Men’s violence against wo- equality unpaid housework and men must stop provision of care work Women and men must have the Women and men must have the Women and men, girls and boys same opportunities and condi- same responsibility for unpaid must have the same rights and options for paid work that provide housework and have the oppor- portunities to physical integrity. economic independence throug- tunity to give and receive care on hout life. equal terms.

4 Gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive budgeting

Gender mainstreaming has been the Swedish Govern- ment’s overarching strategy for the implementation of the gender equality policy since 1994. It is an important strategy for reaching the gender equality objectives.

Gender mainstreaming is a stra- tive implementation of the Go- The budget process and the Bud- tegy used to implement the Go- vernment gender equality policy get Bill are of key importance in vernment’s gender equality objec- all ministers are responsible for realizing the Government’s policy tives. This approach is combined mainstreaming a gender perspec- agenda and it is therefore impor- with measures designed to speci- tive in decisions and actions taken tant that budget work is based on fically target gender inequalities in his or her policy area. The Mi- a gender impact assessment which in different policy areas (such as nister for Gender Equality is re- can inform the direction and dist- extra funding, extra focus, action sponsible for the overall coordina- ribution of resources. The inten- plans, etc.). This dual approach is tion, development and follow-up tion is to ensure that policies with necessary for moving forward on of gender mainstreaming yet the a gender-neutral design or out- gender equality. everyday practical implementation come are identified and averted is managed at the level of Heads from the outset, while at the same As part of the gender mainstrea- of Division in all ministries. time promoting gender responsi- ming efforts, Sweden also runs ve policies. a programme for Gender main- All gender mainstreaming actions streaming in Government agen- are guided by the objectives set The Government has taken a cies (GMGA) – to ensure that the out in the policy on gender equ- number of steps to strengthen the activities and services provided by ality as well as of policy specific sustainability and effectiveness participating Government agen- goals that have been formulated of the gender-responsive budget cies contribute to achieving the based on the gender needs assess- work. For instance the Ministry of Government’s gender equality ob- ment of each Ministry. Finance has introduced a forma- jectives. In addition, the Govern- lised requirement in the budget ment’s gender equality vision is Gender-responsive budgeting a circular which demands that all implemented through gender-re- strategic tool for realising policy ministries include a gender-equa- sponsive budgeting. objectives lity impact assessments as part of The Swedish Government has their proposals they put forward The Swedish Government Offi- incorporated gender-responsive to the Ministry of Finance. The ces define gender mainstreaming budgeting as a means to incorpo- Government has also reinforced as the incorporation of a gender rate a gender perspective at all le- support and capacity building me- equality perspective in all policy vels of the budgetary process and asures in order to improve practi- areas, at all levels and at all sta- restructuring revenues and expen- ces on conducting gender-equality ges, by the stake-holders normal- ditures in order to reach the reali- impact assessments. ly involved in the policy-making sation of the Government gender process. equality objectives. The approach is based on the understanding Responsibility for the entire that there are no gender-neutral Government budget allocations. In order to ensure full and effec-

5 The implementation of gender mainstreaming in Government agencies (GMGA)

• In order to step up the im- To support these actions the shows that the agencies have plementation on gender ma- Swedish Agency for Gender reached a number of results instreaming the Government Equality provides capacity that help achieve the national introduced a new programme building measures to reinforce goals on gender equality. Seve- to strengthen gender main- the implementation of gender ral authorities show evidence streaming in selected Govern- mainstreaming in the Govern- of having changed their way of ment agencies in 2013. The aim ment agencies. Each year the working and have also started has been to further develop the Minister for Gender Equality practicing more gender-respon- core activities and/or services gathers the Director-Generals sive services. provided by each agency in of the agencies to follow up on • Selected results from a number order to achieve gender equality their results. of agencies: policy goals. Furthermore they • Evaluation finds that GMGA is • The Swedish Agency for Eco- have been assigned to draw up yielding results nomic and Regional Growth is an agency specific action plan • An evaluation by the Swedish assigned to foster sustainable on gender mainstreaming. The Agency for Public Management growth and competitiveness results provided by each agency (the Government’s organisation across Sweden. As a result of are reported to the responsible for analyses and evaluations of the agency’s work on gender Ministry on a yearly basis. state and state-funded activities) mainstreaming it has succeeded

The former minister for Gender Equality Åsa Lindhagen gather the agencies Director-Generals to follow up on their results in october 2019.

6 in doubling the financial re- men get individual payments. women in connection with sources approved for businesses Furthermore, a gender equality women’s requests for sick leave. run by women (13 percent in perspective is integrated as part The authority works systemati- 2017 compared to 7 percent in of the country specific infor- cally to detect clients that face 2015). mation used by the Migration domestic violence and have • The Swedish Migration Agen- Agency’s officials. This includes developed a standard procedu- cy handles applications from information regarding women’s re to inform and refer victims people regarding for example living conditions in the asylum to agencies that can provi- permanent residence, re- seekers’ home countries. de support, legal action and quests for Swedish citizenship • The Swedish Research Council, protection. In the framework or applications for visiting Sweden’s largest body provi- of a collaboration with other the country. As part of the ding Government funds to agencies the “improved detec- Migration Agency’s gender research, has reached gender tion of clients facing domestic mainstreaming activities, it is equal allocation of its research violence”, has been shared and working on individualizing grants. implemented by the Swedish Employment Service, the Na- asylum procedures and the • The Social Insurance Agency tional Board of Health and the payment of compensation to is a Government agency that is Swedish Migration Agency. individuals. Such compensation responsible for managing large was previously disbursed to the parts of the Swedish social man in the family. However, insurance system. The Agen- now the routines are changed cy has made great efforts to to ensure that both women and identify men’s violence against

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency

The Swedish Gender Equality equality. There is a need for an For example, the agency supports Agency was established in Janua- overall assessment of the other agencies in their work to ry 2018. The agency is commissi- development concerning gender gender mainstream their core oned to contribute to an effective equality in relation to the mea- activities. Another example is implementation of gender equality sures implemented and actions the assignment to support and policy. The establishment of the taken. The agency shall therefore coordinate the work to discover agency has strengthened the insti- analyse the progress made with and prevent violence against tutional framework and promotes respect to Sweden’s six gender women together with the Social sustainable and strategic gender equality sub-goals and evaluate Insurance Agency, the Public equality work. The work of the the measures implemented. The Employment Service, the Mig- agency requires close cooperation findings can for example be used ration Agency and the National with other Government agencies to design interventions at various Board of Health and Welfare. and with regions, municipalities levels, and by various actors, in • Allocation of Government grants and civil society. The main task of society. to gender equality projects and the Gender Equality Agency is to • Support to Government agencies, women’s organizations. coordinate, follow up and provide including County Administrative • Participate in international gen- various forms of support in order Boards, and to regions and mu- der equality cooperation on an to reach the gender equality policy nicipalities in the implementation expert level. goals. The work is carried out in of gender equality policy. the following domains: • Coordination and implementation of certain assignments in the • Analysis and follow-up of the area of gender equality policy. development towards gender

7 Three important welfare reforms to promote gender equality in Sweden Sub-goal Sub-goal 2 3

Sub-goal Some of the most important reforms for promoting gender 4 equality in Sweden were imposed in the 1970s, such as the individual income taxation, the development and expansion of public childcare and the gender-neutral parental leave benefit.

These reforms promoted gender household. In addition, men were Separate income taxation for equality and increased women’s encouraged by law to take respon- wife and husband (1971) prospects to have the same op- sibility for their parental duties Separate income taxation was im- portunities as men to enter the la- and household work to a greater posed in 1971. This created an in- bour market, and to remain and extent. These different reforms centive for women to take part in develop there. Parts of the unpaid also contributed to the develop- the labour market, as their inco- household and care work, mostly ment of a modern welfare state in me was no longer considered part performed by women, became the Sweden which has proven to be of the husband’s income which responsibility of the public welfa- essential for gender equality, as a had meant being subject to a high re system. Consequently women well-functioning welfare sector tax discouraging them from wor- could gain access to employment enables both women and men to king outside the home. Individu- and greater financial independen- participate in the labour market al taxation made it beneficial for ce, which increased their well-be- on equal terms. both parties to work. In combina- ing and bargaining power in the tion with the expansion of child

8 care services and a steady increa- First country to introduce gen- reserved months for each parent se of the reserved parental leave der-neutral paid parental leave has been to achieve a more even months for each parent, it had an benefit (1974) distribution of unpaid household important positive impact on wo- In 1974, Sweden became the first and care work, and gender equali- men’s employment rate. country in the world to introdu- ty in the labour market. ce a gender-neutral paid parental Development of public leave benefit. Since then, the pa- child care (1974) rental leave reform has been re- The employment rate of women The broad expansion of the vised several times. The policy is Promoting equal economic op- day-care and pre-school system aimed at supporting a portunities for women and men began in the 1970s. Previously, dual-earner family model, which is a fundamental part of the gen- women had the main responsibi- is a cornerstone for the develop- der equality policy. Parental insu- lity for the care of children and ment of gender equality, women’s rance, combined with an extensi- if they worked they had to make empowerment and an important ve system of public child care and child-care arrangements with the part of gender equality policy. elderly care, has made it possible help of nannies, friends and rela- In 1995, the first reserved month for both parents to improve their tives. Women often faced impos- for each parent was introdu- work-life balance. In 1979 the sible daily schedules balancing ced. The reserved month was a Swedish Gender Equality Act was paid work and full responsibility non-transferable paid parental introduced. It had several obli- for the domestic and care work. leave. The policy was later ex- gations ensuring that the labour The development of affordable panded with an second month in market is free from discrimination public child care facilities availa- 2002 and a third month in 2016. based on sex. ble to all has been prerequisite for Today, women and men are en- the large proportion of women in titled to 480 days of paid paren- gainful employment in Sweden. tal leave (16 months) per child. Together with public elderly care, Ninety days are reserved for each this gives both women and men parent and cannot be transferred an opportunity to combine pro- to the other parent. The intention fessional life and family life. behind the increased number of

Employment rate for men and women (16-64 years) in Sweden 1970- 2019 90% % 85%

80%

75%

70%

65%

60%

55%

50%

45%

40% 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019

Men Women

9 Gender equal division of power and influence Sub-goal 1 Power and influence must be divided equally between the sexes. It is a question of justice and democracy.

One of the sub-goals of Swedish Women and men have since the Still male dominance rema- gender equality policy is that mid-1990s been more or less equ- ins high in the management of women and men must have equal ally represented in the Swedish Swedish listed companies. In the access to power and influence. Parliament and the Government. boards of listed companies, there This should be reflected on all le- In the political assemblies at the were 34 percent women and 66 vels but utterly through an equal regional and municipal levels, the percent men in 2019. However representation in decision-ma- gender distribution is within the there has been a small increase king assemblies and in leading po- range of 40-60. The proportion of 9,5 percent women on boards sitions. Equal representation of of women among Swedish mem- of the largest listed companies in women and men is not in itself a bers of the European Parliame- Sweden between 2010 and 2017. guarantee that real power is even- nt has exceeded 40 percent since The proportion of women chairs ly distributed between the sexes. Sweden became a member of the in listed companies was only 9 However, it is a crucial prerequi- EU in 1995. Also at the executive percent while men accounted for site for qualitative aspects of the levels of Government it has been 91 percent. exercise of power to change in an a norm since 1994 that half of the equal direction. cabinet ministers are women.

10 Parliament’s composition after Composition of members of state elections 1988 and 2018 Government boards 1991 and 2017 80

60 80

70 50 70

60 60 40

50 50 30 40 40

20 30 30

20 10 20

10 10 0 1991 2017 0 0 1988 2018 1991 2017

Women Men Women Men Women Men

The situation is better in compa- te Governance Board, which is re- parity by 2030. Another example ny boards wholly or partly owned sponsible for the Swedish Code of is how policy goals for the film by the State, where the propor- Corporate Governance, has sta- sector have resulted in an action tion of women was 47 percent and ted that each gender must have at plan from the Swedish Film Insti- men 53 percent of the company least 40 percent share in 2020. tute to achieve a better gender ba- board in 2018. The proportion lance in terms of the proportion of women chairing state-owned The sub-goal of ensuring an equal of women in leading positions in companies was 48 percent while division of power and influen- the film industry. men accounted for 52 percent in ce also includes the distribution 2018. of power and influence in other Preventing and counteracting parts of society such as higher violence, threats and hatred aga- The Government has developed education, culture, media and the inst journalists online and offline goals for equal gender distribu- communication sector, and within is a priority issue for Sweden. In tion in the boards of companies social media. In sectors where the July 2017, the Government adop- that are totally or partly owned by Government can influence deci- ted an action plan for the defense the state. These goals state that at sion-making, initiatives have been of the free word. least 40 percent women and men taken. One example is the increa- respectively should be represented sed ambition by the Government in the boards. to improve the gender distribution among newly recruited profes- Since 2014, the Swedish Corpora- sors. The target is to reach gender

11 Economic gender equality Sub-goal 2 Gender equality is important for jobs and growth. To safeguard jobs, all skills must be put to good use on the labour market and women’s employment rate and working hours must increase.

Compared with other EU countri- ater extent by women than men. month with the same effect. es, women comprise a larger A legislative amendment has been proportion of the paid labor in introduced to ensure that tempo- Education and labour market au- Sweden. However, it is still very rary employment will be conver- thorities also have an important common for women to work ted into indefinite employment if task of challenging students and part-time, especially women with the aggregated length of employ- work applicants to consider stu- children. When children are born, ment in a general fixed-term posi- dies and employment that do not it is common that women redu- tion, exceeds two years. follow traditional gender roles. ce their time in paid work, while The Swedish Public Employment men’s time in paid work increases. Gender pay gap Service has therefore been assigned the task of tailoring its acti- When weighing in factors such as Employment rate for women vities to promote gender equali- education, age, profession, sector and men ty and combat gender divisions in and hours of work, the gender pay The Swedish Government has a the labour market. gap between men and women is goal set out to reduce the dif- 4,4 percent (2018). These income ferences in employment rate Further, the Swedish Government disparities can also be explained between women and men. has presented an action plan for by the gender segregation on the gender equal lifetime earnings. Part-time work labour market. Furthermore, jobs in sectors dominated by women Almost 30 percent of women Requirement to conduct annual are generally valued less and these who are employed work part-ti- pay surveys sectors have lower wage levels me, but studies show that many It is important to eliminate unju- than the ones dominated by men. would prefer to work more hours. stified gender pay differences The main reasons that many more between women and men. The- The use of parental benefit days women than men are in part-time refore, employers in Sweden have is unevenly distributed between jobs are that they cannot find a been tasked to conduct an annu- women and men. In order to in- suitable full-time job or that they al survey and analyse pay diffe- centivice men to take more pa- are taking care of children. rences between women and men rental benefit days the Govern- who perform work that is equal ment subsequently increased the The Swedish Government’s ob- or of equal value. The social part- number of days reserved for each jective is to ensure that full-time ners’, including the trade unions’ parent. In 1995, the first reserved work is the norm, and part-time a responsibility for wage formation, month was introduced, and 2002 possibility for those who wish to is a cornerstone of the Swedish it was increased to two months. work less. In recent years, there model. They can play an impor- After these changes, fathers took has been an increase in temporary tant role in addressing the persis- out a higher proportion of the employments in the labour mar- tant pay discrimination in certain total parental allowance. In 2016 ket, which are occupied to a gre- sectors. the Government added a third

12 Gender equal education Sub-goal 3 The Government objective to ensure gender equal education aims at safeguarding that girls and boys, women and men have the same opportunities and conditions with regard to education.

The curriculum for compulso- holidays. For instance there are tional targets for gender equali- ry school states that all schools significant differences in learning ty. While more women than men should actively and conscious- outcomes between girls and boys. attend and graduate from hig- ly further equal rights and op- The Government is therefore en- her education in Sweden, only 29 portunities for women and men gaging in actions to improve lear- per cent of professors are women. and counteract traditional gender ning results, such as enhancing Therefore, the Government has norms. It also specifies that edu- reading skills and extracurricular set a goal of ensuring that half cation and teaching should not education during school holidays. of all newly appointed professors split children and students based With regards to students welfa- shall be women by 2030. on gender. The Government is re, statistics show that adolescent also taking steps to include the girls aged 15 have a higher degree Gender equality is a matter that same requirements in the curri- of mental health issues (62 per- is relevant for the quality assuran- cula for upper secondary school, cent) compared to adolescent boys ce of the entire research system. upper secondary school for stu- same age (35 percent). More re- The four major research funding dents with learning disabilities sources have therefore been pro- agencies in Sweden have been as- and adult education. vided to strengthen and improve signed to gender mainstream their school-based health services. activities and to promote gender In recent years statistics on edu- equality in the allocation of rese- cation results and student welfa- Under Swedish law, higher edu- arch funding. The research fun- re show a clear gender divide. For cation institutions should always ding agencies have in their annual instance, girls receive higher edu- promote and take account of gen- reporting stated that the approval cation results than boys throug- der equality in their activities. In rate of research applications has hout the compulsory education addition, the Swedish Governme- been relatively gender equal over system. The Government is the- nt has assigned over 30 univer- the past five years. Also, the Hig- refore engaging in actions to en- sities and university colleges to her Education Institutions repor- hance reading skills and extracur- work with gender mainstreaming ted a more gender equal allocation ricular education during school to contribute to achieving the na- of research funding.

13 Gender equal health and sexual and Sub-goal reproductive health and rights (SRHR) 5

In the area of health and medical care, unacceptable differences persist between women and men. Historically, illnesses that affect women more than men have tended to be less prioritised in the health care system. Therefore the Swedish Government has proposed several initiatives to invest in women’s health.

Free mammography screening men’s control over their lives ty. Sexual and reproductive health and contraception and bodies and rights is a matter of women’s In 2015, the Swedish Government Gender equality can never be self-determination and the right set aside on average SEK 1 billion achieved without the realisation to decide freely over their own a year in maternity care and wo- of sexual and reproductive health bodies. men’s health fore the period 2019- and rights. At this very moment, 2022. The funding aims to impro- these rights are being challenged The Swedish Abortion Act ve skills supply, including staffing, around the world. In Sweden, women have the legal in areas including maternity care right to have an abortion until and to improve neonatal care. To Women and girls must have the eighteenth week of pregnancy, safeguard young women’s right to right to decide and exercise con- without specifying a reason for reproductive and sexual health, trol over their own body, sexuali- the decision. After the eighte- the Government has made contra- ty, reproductive health and child- enth week of pregnancy, an abor- ception free of charge to people bearing. When women have these tion may be performed only if it is under the age of 21. choices, it increases their pro- approved by the National Board spects of participating on a more of Health and Welfare. Swedish Sexual and reproductive health equal footing with men in socie- and rights – a matter of wo- legislation on abortion derives from the woman’s right to decide on her own body and the right to choose whether or not to become parent.

The legislation on abortion is also based on the ambition to minimi- se health risks for women who become pregnant involuntarily, and the balance between, on the one hand, women’s right to abortion and, on the other hand, the fact that the foetus is gradually deve- loping during the pregnancy.

14 Preventing and combating men’s violence against women Sub-goal 6

Men’s violence against women is one of the ultimate expres- sions of inequality between women and men. This violence must stop. Women and men, girls and boys, must have the same right and access to physical integrity.

Women and girls are dispro- lion Swedish Crowns for the im- The Swedish Government has portionately exposed to domes- plementation of the action plan. taken various measures to increa- tic violence and sexual violen- se the detection of gender-based ce including forced marriage and A top priority in the strategy is violence as well as to strengthen honour-related violence. The enhanced and effective violen- victim support provided by public Swedish Government aims at ce prevention including interven- authorities, including municipali- make conserted efforts to eradica- tions to reduce relapse in offen- ties, health care services and civil te men’s violence against women. ding. The Swedish Government society organizations. The development of effective vi- is investing in primary prevention olence prevention measures is of education in schools and counsel- In addition to already existing fi- importance for the Swedish Go- ling centres for perpetrators and nancial support to victim servi- vernment along with the support behavior change programmes for ces, the Swedish Government has to abused women and the the male offenders. Mandatory trai- allocated more than EUR 10 mil- Swedish women shelter organisa- ning on violence against women lion per year to women’s shelter tions. and domestic violence has been organisations, including shelters introduced for students of Law, for women with substance abuse, A national strategy to end men’s Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, women with disabilities and violence against women Dental Care, Psychology and So- women in prostitution or human In November 2016, the Swedish cial Work. Key Government agen- trafficking for sexual purposes. Government introduced a natio- cies such as the Swedish Agency nal 10-year strategy on preven- for Gender Equality, the National Violence and oppression in the ting and combating men’s vio- Board of Health and Welfare as name of honour is a serious viola- lence against women, including well as Sweden’s 21 county admi- tion of women’s rights, children’s forced marriage and violence and nistrative boards have been com- rights and LGBT rights. Futher- oppression in the name of hono- missioned to promote violence more it is also a serious challenge ur. The strategy was drafted with prevention measures with a par- to gender equality. The Swedish the Council of Europe Conven- ticular focus on young men and Government is responding with tion on Preventing and Comba- boys. A pilot hotline for adults at measures such as legislation and ting Violence against Women and risk of using violence against inti- increased support to regions, mu- Domestic Violence (a.k.a. the Is- mate partners was established in nicipalites, and the civil socie- tanbul Convention) as an impor- 2019. The hotline motivates actu- ty organizations. Governmental tant point of reference. It consists al perpetrators of gender-based agencies have been commisioned of four objectives, a clear organi- violence to seek professional tre- various tasks to develop effecti- sation for implementation and an atment and has already managed ve methods and policies that aims action plan consisting of 44 com- to reach a significant number of at the goal that women and men, mitments for the years 2017-2020. callers who had never previously girls and boys, must have the So far, the Swedish Government contacted any service about their same right and access to physical has allocated more than 1,6 bil- violent behavior. integrity.

15 Prostitution and trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual Sub-goal 6 exploitation

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and involves the ruthless exploitation of other human beings. It entails serious obstacles for the full enjoyment of human rights and must acknowledge a gender and a child rights perspective. A vast majority of trafficking victims for sexual exploitation are women and girls but men and boys also fall victim to this crime.

The Swedish Government has for cil of Europe Convention on Ac- the act does not constitute another sexual a long time given priority to com- tion against Trafficking in Human crime] be sentenced for purchase of sex- batting prostitution and traffick- Beings underlines the importan- ual service to a fine or imprisonment for ing in human beings for the pur- ce of addressing the demand that at most one year. (Penal Code Chapter pose of sexual exploitation. This fosters all forms of trafficking in 6, Section11) is one part of the Swedish Go- human beings. vernment’s work to combat men’s The legislation marks Sweden’s violence against women. In 2018 Swedish ambassador to combat attitude towards prostitution and the Swedish Government deci- trafficking in human beings ideas of a gender equal society. In ded on a new action plan to com- The Swedish Government has the majority of cases, the seller is bat prostitution and trafficking in taken a number of steps to enhan- the weaker party, who is exploi- human beings. The Swedish Gen- ce its work against trafficking in ted by the buyer. Further, in most der Equality Agency coordinates human beings. An ambassador to cases it is men who are acqui- the work against prostitution and combat trafficking in human be- ring casual sexual relations with trafficking in human beings on a ings has been installed with an women against remuneration. national level. aim to especially acknowledge the This is unacceptable. gender equality perspective and The underlying reasons for criminalisation of the purchase of Criminalisation can never be people being involved in prosti- sexual services as a way to decrea- more than a supplementary ele- tution vary, but Sweden recogni- se the demand for sexual services. ment in the efforts to reduce the zes that the primary factor that demand for prostitution and can- sustains prostitution as well as The Swedish model: Purchasing not be a substitute for broader trafficking in human beings for sexual services is illegal social interventions. Active in- sexual purposes is the demand. On 1 January 1999, Sweden beca- volvement of social services in Efforts to undermine the mar- me the first country in the world preventions efforts as well as in ket and to counteract the demand to introduce legislation crimina- order to ensure proper support to buy sexual services are there- lising the purchase, and not the measures to people in prostitution fore fundamental in combatting selling, of sexual services. is key. prostitution and trafficking in human beings for the purpose of A person who obtains a casual sexual sexual exploitation. The Coun- relation in return for payment, shall [if

16 Effects of the criminalisation of According to the report, street of the purchase of sexual servi- purchase of sexual services prostitution in Sweden had halved ces seems to act as a barrier for The legislation prohibiting the since the prohibition was intro- human traffickers and procurers. purchase of sexual services has duced in 1999. The Inquiry found been evaluated and an Inquiry re- that previously voiced fears for The Inquiry report concluded port was presented to the Go- negative effects on people explo- that the prohibition of the pur- vernment in 2010. According to ited through prostitution as a re- chase of sexual services also had a the assessment in the report, the sult of criminalisation had not normative effect. There had been prohibition has had the intended been realised. a change in attitude towards the effect, and is an important instru- purchase of sexual services that ment in preventing and combat- The Inquiry notes that trafficking coincided with the criminalisa- ting prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual pur- tion. In Sweden, there is strong for the purpose of sexual exploi- poses is substantially less preva- support for the prohibition (72 tation. lent in Sweden than in other com- percent of the population are po- parable countries. The prohibition sitive towards the legislation).

Sexual offence legislation based on consent Sub-goal 6

The incidence of sexual offences is increasing in Sweden, with young women facing the greatest risk. At the same time, too few of these offences are reported. Reversing this negative trend requires both new legislation and changes in attitudes. The Government has introduced new sexual offence legislation that is based on consent. Sex must be voluntary – if it is not, then it is illegal.

Since the 1 July 2018, Sweden sible to collectively shed light on Victim Compensation and Sup- has a new sexual offence legisla- the problem of sexual harass- port Authority to develop sexu- tion based on consent which sta- ment and sexual abuse. There has al offences education campaigns tes that if sex is not voluntary it been an important shift of focus targeting primarily young pe- is illegal. The legislation is a bre- – from talking about the behavi- ople. The authority produced a akthrough in the sense that; there or and way of dressing of women web-based training material and is no longer a need to establish and girls – to a focus on perpetra- an accompanying teacher’s guide that violence or threats were used, tors of sexual violence and harass- describing the new sex crime legi- or that the victim’s particularly ment. slation and implemented an inter- vulnerable situation was exploi- net campaign. ted in order to convict a perpetra- Legislation is not enough The campaign adresses that all tor of rape. This means that sex Legislation is only one part of victims must be aware of their without consent can be conside- the solution. For every girl and rights and have the courage to re- red rape, even when there are no woman to be free to decide over port. It also stresses the responsi- threats or violence involved. her own body, there must also be bility of men and boys to contri- a culture of consent. The Govern- but to a culture of sexual consent. Focus on perpetrators ment therefore in connection with The power of the Swedish #me- the new sexual offence legislation too-movement has made it pos- commissioned the Swedish Crime

17 Involving men and boys in gender equality and promoting healthier gender norms

Knowledge about genderstereotypical norms needs to be given greater emphasis in the understanding of differences that exist between girls and boys, and women and men in different areas.

Men's and women's use of parental benefit days 1989-2019

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019

Women Men

Traditional gender stereotypes schools to change norms and atti- in Sweden between ages 20 and hinder the empowerment of tudes associated with masculinity, 64 do 5 hours less of domestic women and girls violence and sexist behaviour are work each week compared with Unequal gender power relations in progress. women of the same age. And and traditional gender stereoty- while it is true that trend show pes can shape the likelihood of The Swedish Government has that men have picked up some of men and boys experiencing or reached an agreement with the the household labor, a significant perpetrating violence which se- Swedish Association of Local Au- gap remains. Therefore the Go- riously hinder the empowerment thorities and Regions, to introdu- vernment has introduced recon- of women and girls, and gender ce and share lessons learned from ciliation policies such as a third equality. Therefore, more focus the ongoing violence prevention reserved month for each parent must be placed on challenging programmes in Swedish schools. in 2016. The Government is also traditional gender stereotypes One of the programmes is Men- currently reviewing the policy for that link masculinity with vio- tors in Violence Prevention, a further modernisation, promoting lence as a root cause of violen- peer mentoring program that invi- gender equal parenting with fur- ce. The Government has therefo- tes young people to challenge atti- ther individualised parental leave re introduced measures that bring tudes, beliefs and cultural norms schemes. Men’s increased use of about more effective prosecution that underlie gender-based vio- the parental leave benefits have of perpetrators and taken steps to lence and other forms of violence. proven to have a clear positive im- lowering the threshold for men to The program is undergoing rese- pact on men’s relationships with seek help to change violent beha- arch to analyse its impact. their children as well as a positive viour, for example with a effect on the development of wo- helpline for persons that seek help Active responsibility and partici- men’s wages. against for instance their control- pation by men and boys bene- ling behavior. Also investments in fits all universal violence prevention in Time-use surveys show that men

18 in Sweden between ages 20 and 64 do 5 hours less of domestic work each week compared with women of the same age. And while it is true that trend show that men have picked up some of the household labor, a significant gap remains. Therefore the Go- vernment has introduced recon- ciliation policies such as a third reserved month for each parent in 2016. The Government is also currently reviewing the policy for further modernisation, promoting gender equal parenting with further individualised parental leave schemes. Men’s increased use of the parental leave benefits have proven to have a clear positive impact on men’s relationships with their children as well as a positive effect on the development of women’s wages.

19 Government offices Ministry of Employment Visit: Fredsgatan 8, Stockholm Post address: 103 33 Stockholm