Gender equality work in the Riksdag
Members of the Riksdag should have the same conditions and opportunities to perform their official duties regardless of gender. By highlighting gender equality issues, the conditions for achieving a gender-equal Riksdag can constantly be improved.
The Riksdag Board decides on an action programme for gender equality for each electoral period.
The action programme for gender equality for the electoral period 2022–2026, like the programme for the previous electoral period, focuses on the way we treat one another and on the possibility for members to combine their assignment in parliament with family life. During the current period, greater emphasis will be placed on external treatment, i.e. how members are treated outside of the Riksdag. The increasingly challenging climate that politicians operate in, and its consequences for members of the Riksdag from a gender equality perspective, must be highlighted.
Action programme for Equality 2022-2026 (pdf, 259 kB)
During the electoral period 2022–2026, work on gender equality in the Riksdag is being led by the First Deputy Speaker Kenneth G Forslund and Second Deputy Speaker Julia Kronlid.
From the left: Camilla Mårtensen (L), Camilla Rinaldo Miller (KD), Second Deputy Speaker, Julia Kronlid (SD), Deputy Chair, Ulrika Heindorff (M), First Deputy Speaker, Kenneth G Forslund (S), Chair, Jacob Risberg (MP), Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (V), Christofer Bergenblock (C), Michael Rubbestad (SD). Joakim Järrebring (S) is missing on the picture.
Representatives from all political parties participate
The Riksdag Board also nominates a working group consisting of members who are to work specifically with these issues. The working group consists of representatives from all of the political parties of the Riksdag with an even gender balance:
- Joakim Järrebring (Social Democratic Party)
- Michael Rubbestad (Sweden Democrats)
- Ulrika Heindorff (Moderate Party)
- Lotta Johnsson Fornarve (Left Party)
- Christofer Bergenblock (Centre Party)
- Camilla Rinaldo Miller (Christian Democrats)
- Jacob Risberg (Green Party)
- Camilla Mårtensson (Liberal Party)
The working group will draw up an action programme for the electoral period.
Gender equality work 2018–2022
The action programme for gender equality during the 2018–2022 electoral period focused on cultural aspects, such as how we treat, address and approach those around us. A working group consisting of one representative from each party was responsible for implementing the programme.
Promoting gender equality in the Riksdag 2018-2022 (pdf, 1 MB)
Gender equality work 2014–2018
During the electoral period 2014–2018, a survey with in-depth interviews was performed among the members of the Riksdag within the framework of the action programme for gender equality. The survey showed that the members of the Riksdag were, on the whole, satisfied with their working environment and treatment at the Riksdag, but that there were certain problems with domination techniques and violating behaviour.
The survey also showed that threats and violations, primarily via social media, are becoming an increasingly significant factor affecting members in their assignment as MPs. This applied to both women and men, but the violations took different forms depending on gender.
The studies showed further that women in general feel that greater demands are placed on them and they are more worried about making mistakes. The answers implied that the difference between the sexes may be a result of women placing greater demands on themselves, but the members who took part in the survey, both women and men, felt that the expectations placed on women and men differ. The working programme for 2018–2022 was drawn up in the light of the results of the survey.