Report / Perspective and Action Plan 2018

MINISTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Report / Perspective and Action Plan 2018 Issued to the Danish Parliament (the Folketing) by the Minister for Equal Opportunities on the 27th of February 2018 COLOPHON Report/ Perspective and Action Plan 2018 Minister for Equal Opportunities, February 2018 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark ISBN: 978-87-93616-36-3 (printed version) 978-87-93616-37-0 (electronic version) Photos: Getty Images, Scanpix andKanal 4 Layout and production: OTW A/S Web: um.dk/ligestilling/perspektiv-og-handlingsplan CONTENT 05 Preface 07 Background and vision for equality initiatives in Denmark 09 Rights and freedom for the individual 15 Better use of resources and talents 21 Security, wellbeing and equal opportunities for LGBTI persons 25 Global equality efforts 27 Status of specific efforts from the Perspective and Action Plan 2017 Report / Perspective and Action Plan 2018 5 Gender equality is the basis for our democracy and a fundamental freedom Women and men in Denmark have not always had opportunities for LGBTI persons. It is essential for the equal opportunities. We have travelled a long hard government to safeguard personal freedom and Dan- road to get where we are today. And even though we ish openness. have not yet reached our goal, we have come a long way. Your future is not determined by whether you Gender equality is a cornerstone to create space for were born a girl or a boy, and you have many opportu- individual freedom, to seize future opportunities and nities regardless of your gender. Today, equal opportu- to continue to develop society. Both women and men nities are the basis for our democracy and a fundamen- must contribute to shaping our society, by taking part tal freedom. Such is life in Denmark. We must hold on in decision-making processes in companies and in poli- to this, including when meeting with cultures where tics. Respect for one another, regardless of whether this things are different. is at work, in politics or in the public arena, is crucial. The #MeToo movement has demonstrated the need to Our message must be clear. Equal opportunities, challenge the taboo around sexual harassment and the regardless of gender, sexual orientation or gender need to prevent sexual harassment. Openmindedness identity, are paramount and should be accepted by and respect go hand in hand. everyone, irrespective of whether they were born in Denmark or come from another country. Equal oppor- Young people should not be restricted by gender-ste- tunities cannot be compromised by culture, tradition reotypical expectations in their choice of education. or religion. We must not accept parallel communities Today, we have little idea about the type of jobs that in Denmark where equality is pushed aside. Where will be available in 20 years’ time, but there is no doubt young girls and boys are exposed to negative social that the future will be digital. Girls and women will control by their families, and where rumour and hear- also be part of creating the digital society of the future. say put personal freedom under pressure. Similarly, it is important that men are employed in the care and education sectors. Girls and boys need role Young people have to challenge their parents about models, and these may become skewed if they do not their outdated norms and values, and we as a society also meet men at daycare centres and schools. must support them by insisting on debate and awareness on rights, negative social control and gender We must be prepared for the future and ready to grasp equality in ethnic-minority communities, even though the opportunities it will bring. We must utilise all this can be difficult. Unless we do this, we will be aban- our resources in the labour market and in families. doning our duty to the young people and undermine Our lives at work and our family lives are undergoing fundamental values in Danish society. This also applies change, and both men and women are increasingly with regard to freedom to choose your own partner demanding a better work-life balance. It should be a and to live openly, irrespective of sexual orientation or natural for fathers to take parental leave in the same gender identity. way as mothers. The government has set a clear goal to continue its As history has demonstrated only too well, the road to- work to promote equal opportunities and freedom wards gender equality is long and hard, but it is impor- for the individual, irrespective of sexual orientation tant. Things will not change from day to day: neither in or gender identity. Establishing a coordinating func- Denmark nor globally. Many different stakeholders have tion for LGBTI policies has been a historic move, and to be engaged in efforts. While addressing emerging together with the parties involved in the Rate Adjust- issues we need to maintain a long term focus on persis- ment Pool agreement we have secured funding for ini- tent issues to bring about change. We must be stead- tiatives that will enhance security, wellbeing and equal fast: everyone must have equal opportunities. Karen Ellemann Danish Minister for Equal Opportunities KEY FIGURES: EIGE’s Gender Equality index DK 76.8 75.6 74.6 75.2 66.2 65 63.8 62 EU 2005 2010 2012 2015 Source: EIGE (2015) Scores of the Gender Equality Index Report / Perspective and Action Plan 2018 7 Background and vision for equality initiatives in Denmark Denmark is one of the most equal countries in the gender equality. It is paramount that Denmark takes world, and since 2005 Denmark has maintained sec- responsibility for ensuring fulfilment of goal 5; nation- ond place in regular surveys on how far countries in the ally and globally. Global challenges are no excuse for EU have come with regard to gender equality1. not pursuing ambitious national efforts. The government's vision is that: Many countries look to Denmark and the Nordic countries for gender equality, but there are still challenges. “Everyone should have equal opportunities to par- There is a constant need to work on promoting equal ticipate in society and to realise their potential and opportunities and gender equality, both in Denmark and internationally. This requires long-term and sus- talent. Everyone has a part to play and no one should tained efforts. It is very much about culture, and ex- experience discrimination based on gender, sexual pectations as to how women and men, girls and boys orientation or gender identity.” should behave and act in society. This is not something that will change by itself. This is why challenges and To fulfill this vision a number of specific initiatives will initiatives may not change from year to year. This Per- be launched within four priority areas: rights and free- spective and Action Plan constitutes the framework dom of the individual; better use of resources and talents; secu- for governments work to promote equality in the next rity, wellbeing and equal opportunities for LGBTI persons; and year. It also aims at ensuring follow-up to the UN Sus- global gender equality efforts. tainable Development Goals, in particular goal 5 on Rights and freedom for Better use of the individual resources and talents • Promote equal opportunities • Promote gender equality in and combat negative social the labour market, in man control agement and politics • Combat violence in intimate • Reduce gendersegregated relations and stalking education choices • Combat sexism, online sexual • Raise awareness of gender abuse and "perfectionist and equality in public au culture" VISION: thorities and services • Combat human trafficking “Everyone should have equal opportunities to participate in society and to realise their potential and talent. Everyone has a part to play and no one should experience discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.” Security, wellbeing Global equality and equal opportunities efforts for LGBTI persons • An active Danish effort • Freedom for the indi for women's rights and vidual and greater well gender equality globally being • Development policy to • Global efforts for LGBTI be used to lever equal rights opportunities 1 EIGE (2017) Gender Equality Index KEY FIGURES: 20 Number of persons who 15 have experienced family members inspect their 10 mobile phone, mail, computer or bag in order to control them 5 Source: Danish Ministry of Im- migration and Integration (2017) 0 Medborgerskab 2017: Notat nr. 2: 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 Social kontrol blandt nydanskere og personer med dansk oprindelse. Descendants Immigrants Report / Perspective and Action Plan 2018 9 Rights and freedom for the individual Freedom and opportunity for people to decide over their own body and their own life is a fundamental right in Danish society. It applies to all, regardless of gender, culture and religion. In some ethnic-minority communities, strong social control restricts freedoms and equal opportunities, primarily for girls. Human trafficking, violence and sexism are not only abuses of the individual, they can also have serious consequences for society. Promote equal opportunities and combat negative social control Facts Most young people in Denmark have a high degree of • In total, 59% of immigrant women living in an area freedom. However, some young people experience that with a high concentration of residents with an immi rumour and hearsay in the community and negative so- grant background feel restricted with regard to their cial control severely restrict their freedom. This applies choice of intimate partner or spouse. The percent especially in parallel communities and ghettos which do age of women who experience social control is much not have Danish values. Freedoms such as gender equal- lower, at 22%, if they live in an area in which none of ity are often suppressed in these areas.

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