Nordic Equality Index
The experts have been asked 10 questions, which have been assessed on a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 is equality for everyone and 1 is no political reform has been started. Here are the latest results.
Sweden and Iceland are the only Nordic countries that on a selected parameter father's leave score the top grade 5.
Denmark is overall at the top, but still only scores 2.5 out of 5 possible points, while the average for the political law reforms in the Nordic countries is 2.04 points related to equality for everyone in society.
For Denmark, new legislation related to shared public information, shared parental leave and shared welfare benefits is important, but the legislation does not apply in all modern family forms and to all citizens as the basic assumption in society.
The 5 assessment levels were:
Level 5: Gender equality for everyone
Level 4: Political Reform implementation
Level 3: Political Reform decision
Level 2: Political Reform preparation
Level 1: Political Reform not started
The 10 human rights questions asked were:
1. Do children have a lifelong right to know and be cared for by the parents?
2. Do parents receive public information in the same way and at the same time?
3. Do parents have a free choice based on equal opportunities for parental leave?
4. Do parents have the option of double residence incl. by court decisions?
5. Do parents have equal parenting time as the basic assumption, also when living apart?
6. Do parents have the opportunity to receive the same welfare benefits for the child?
7. Do parents experience the same case processing in public child cases?
8. Do parents from other countries receive the same treatment?
9. Do parents receive the same support and legal rights as victims of domestic violence?
10. Do parents feel that funding, statistics and research are equal?
In short. There is still room for improvements in the nordic countries and a much better political and governmental effort with a focus on children and fathers as well as the whole family.
If we want all citizens to experience a real free choice, the basic assumption is equal opportunities. Otherwise it is not a free choice, but merely symbolic politics.
If we furthermore want to improve children's mental health and public health in society, research and reality today document that equal parenting time is crucial for children in all family forms.
If we desire to improve women's equal opportunities in working life, it is simply important to do the same for fathers in family life. This is how we create a success in modern soceity.
Links
- Council of Europe resolution 2079
- The World's first Gender Equality catalog for children and fathers
- 3 basic principles and 10 rules for family law reforms
Comming soon
