Statement to the Employment and Equality Committee regarding the Government report on changes in the security environment (VNS 1/2022 vp.) (TAS 205/2022, issued on 27 April 2022)
The Ombudsman for Equality was heard by the Parliament's Employment and Equality Committee on the Government report on 29 April 2022. The Ombudsman for Equality discussed the report from the viewpoint of the Ombudsman's powers in the area of gender equality.
The changed security situation from the perspective of fundamental and human rights
The Government report on changes in the security situation clearly affirms Finland's commitment to human rights. Among other things, the report mentions information operations and hybrid operations are being used to influence opinions and public decision-making.
The Ombudsman for Equality agrees with the report's assertion that unhindered access to information during serious disruptions and emergencies is important for social stability. Open and active communications by the authorities reinforce feelings of trust, security and participation in society. At the same time, we must ensure that the parties working for fundamental and human rights, as well as the law enforcement authorities, have the capabilities and resources required for continuing their work in all circumstances.
Due to the limited resources of the authorities tasked with overseeing the realisation of fundamental and human rights, the Ombudsman for Equality hopes that the ministries would provide the authorities in their administrative branches with assistance and support for preparing for threats such as information operations and hybrid operations. Other cooperation between the authorities also plays a key role here.
Assessment of the security situation's effects on gender equality
Even though violent crises and wars affect people of all genders, they often also have gender-specific effects. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 'Women, Peace and Security' adopted in 2000 has lifted the gendered effects of conflicts to the centre stage of international politics. The objectives of the resolution are to increase the role and decision-making powers of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, improve the protection of women and girls and the realisation of their rights, and increase their security and reinforce the factors that contribute to it.
The changes in the security environment will affect all Finnish citizens and residents in one way or another. Therefore, the security situation, and questions of preparedness in particular, should also be addressed from the perspective of gender equality.
Experts who are familiar with gender equality and/or represent a diverse selection of genders in addition to their expertise in foreign, security and defence policy could complement the discussion around the government report with their diverse viewpoints. It is of course understandable that the tight schedule at which possible decisions are being made and policies formulated in the current situation can make this difficult.
Armed crises, conflicts and wars have different effects on different genders. Even though the majority of those in actual combat duties are usually men, armed conflicts frequently worsen the status of women, girls and gender minorities. Harassment, sexual violence and other human rights violations against civilians are common in war, and sexual violence is also used as a weapon. Preparedness plans should accordingly address questions such as how those in a vulnerable position could best be assisted and supported in various situations.
In war and conflicts, women participate in the maintenance of many critical functions of society, such as the social and health care services or security of supply, while at the same time taking care of children, the elderly or those otherwise in need of care. Preparedness plans should also address how the survival of different types of families, work communities and other communities could best be secured in various situations.
The Ombudsman for Equality would also like to draw attention to influencing through information, which can seek to undermine social cohesion and, for example, aggravate prejudices against certain groups. The report mentions hate crimes against immigrants, but hate speech and hate crimes can also target other groups, such as gender minorities, heightening divisions in society. Similarly, gendered hate speech against female researchers, politicians and journalists can be used to seek to influence their actions and direct public debate.
National defence obligation
According to section 127 of the Constitution of Finland (731/1999), every Finnish citizen is obligated to participate or assist in national defence, as provided by an Act. The Conscription Act (1438/2007) clarifies this obligation by providing that every male Finnish citizen is liable for military service starting from the beginning of the year in which he turns 18 years old until the end of the year in which he turns 60. The Act on Voluntary Military Service by Women (Laki naisten vapaaehtoisesta asepalveluksesta 285/2022) completes the system of national defence.
A parliamentary committee has examined the development needs of conscription and the fulfilment of the national defence obligation (Publications of the Finnish Government 2021:91). Among other things, the committee proposes extending the conscription system to cover the entire age cohort and connecting the non-military service system to comprehensive security and preparedness. It also suggests giving women the opportunity for non-military service.
The organisation of national defence is traditionally a significant equality issue. It is thus important that the promotion of gender equality is taken into account in all solutions concerning national defence and its future development.
The status of Ukrainian war refugees and intersectional discrimination
The Government report also discusses the reception of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Refugees can experience many kinds of discrimination. For example, gender in combination with refugee or immigrant status can create situations and experiences of intersectional discrimination, for example in service use and later also in working life. The Ombudsman for Equality considers it important to pay attention to intersectional discrimination in equality and non-discrimination policy. This also highlights the necessity of cooperation between authorities and the voluntary sector.
29.04.2022
