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Milestones in Finnish equality since the 1960s*
(01.12.1997)
1961
- Approval of the birth control pill1962
-The principle of equal pay for equal work in both the private and public sector
1963
- Ratification of the ILO Convention on equal wages
1970
- Abortion Act
- Inclusion of personal relations course and sex education in the syllabus for
comprehensive school
- Ratification of the ILO Convention against discrimination and amendment of the Labour
Act whereby employers were obligated to treat their employees on an equal basis
1973
- Act on daycare for children
1975
- Women become eligible for all State posts except those requiring completion on
military service
1978
- Parents receive the right to divide parental leave among themselves
1983
- By virtue of the Act on child welfare and visitation rights and amendment of the
Guardianship Act, both parents are granted equal rights of child guardianship regardless
of gender or marital status
1984
- Amendment of the Nationality Act gives women and men the same rights in determining
the citizenship of children
1985
- Act on Home Care Allowance for Children
1986
- Finland ratifies the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women
- By virtue of the new Surname Act, for the joint surname spouses may choose either the
wife's or the husband's surname, or they may each retain the surname they have when
entering into marriage
- Children have equal rights to each parent's surname
1987
- The Equality Act forbids gender-based discrimination in general and especially in
working life, and compels the authorities and employers to promote equality
1988
- Women become eligible for the priesthood in the Finnish Evangelical-Lutheran Church
1990
- Children under 3 years old are guaranteed a place in municipal daycare
- Women became eligible for the post of Bishop in the Finnish Evangelical-Lutheran Church
1994
- Rape within marriage becomes a criminal offence
1995
- Partial reform of the Equality Act; a 40-60 per cent quota is set for the State
committees and municipal bodies
- Act on women's voluntary national service
- Assault within the family transferred to come under public prosecution
*published originally in Socius Finland
4-97
translated by Sheryl Hinkkanen |