Uncontrolled proliferation of weapons is a threat to women's rights and security

For every woman's safety, rights and well-being, in Sweden and the world, it is important to prevent access to illegal small and light weapons. This is what Karin Olofsson, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Forum for Light Weapons Issues, and Malin Nilsson, Secretary General of the International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom, write in a debate article.

Today, on International Day Against Violence Against Women, we pay attention to the importance of gender equality in achieving lasting peace. Over a billion small and light weapons circulate around the world. The presence of firearms is clearly increasing levels of violence against women - both inside and outside armed conflicts. We demand more measures to prevent the uncontrolled spread of weapons in order to increase women's security and enable women to participate in society. It is written by Malin Nilsson, Secretary General of the International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom, and Karin Olofsson, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Forum for Light Weapons Issues.

November 25, 2021, Debate

They create journalism on the terms of women in Colombia

Laura Gil is a program consultant for International Media Support's 1325 program in Colombia, which will challenge gender stereotypes and portray people whose voices are rarely heard in the media. Photographer: Holman Salgado.

Of: Agnes Von Unge

This year, the Nobel Peace Prize drew attention to the connection between journalism and peace. The international organization International Media Support shows through its activities around the world that this connection extends beyond just the fight for freedom of expression. In Colombia, they have an ongoing program to make women feel fairly represented in the media. There, women are not only interviewed for articles - they are also part of the editorial staff.

November 17, 2021, Interview

UN: Peace processes more successful when women are included

In January next year, the UN will hold its fifth conference on the world's least developed countries. The conference will be held in Qatar's capital Doha. In preparation for the conference, the UN invited to the LDC forum in Helsinki in October. Photo: herosdem. Source: Canva.

Of: Ebba Eriksson

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has reduced gender equality in the world and the UN Secretary-General has referred to gender-based violence as the "shadow pandemic". At the UN conference LDC Future Forum in Helsinki, researchers state that women must be included in politics and the labor market if we are to achieve more peaceful, fair and inclusive societies.

October 27, 2021, News

Sweden in unique global cooperation for gender equality

Two global forums are taking place this year to promote gender equality. Photo: Montanasuffragettes, Wikimedia Commons

Of: Jennie Aradszky

One year later than planned, the global gathering Generation Equality Forum took place in Mexico City. For three days, representatives from governments, companies and civil society gathered to develop concrete action plans to achieve gender equality, which will have effects within five years. Sweden has played an active role as a leader of a focus group on economic equality within the forum.

April 21, 2021, News

Afghanistan's conflict can only be resolved at the negotiating table

Photo: Canva

Of: Andreas Stefansson

President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that US troops will leave Afghanistan this fall. This marks the end of the United States' longest war in 20 years. But for Afghanistan, the war, which has already claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives, is not over. Now it is more important than ever that a political solution is reached in the conflict, says Andreas Stefansson, Secretary General of the aid organization Swedish Afghanistan Committee.

April 16, 2021, Debate

The women's rights movement in northern Macedonia is fighting for its rights online and offline

Photo: Canva

Of: Fredrika Gilljam Norberg

In 2020, a secret group chat was revealed in northern Macedonia where thousands of people took part in private material on women and girls without their consent. The women's rights movement in northern Macedonia has since fought for its establishment with the help of several organizations in the country.

April 13, 2021, News

Feminism - a Western invention or fundamental rights

Can the world agree on a universal feminism? Picture: Bristol University Press

Of: Frida Ekberg Berry

In Jordan, there is today a feminist struggle for greater equality. As in all countries, this struggle is met with more or less resistance from its surroundings. Some see feminism as a Western phenomenon while others believe that gender equality is about human rights.

April 9, 2021, Report

Week 10: Sweden works for gender equality abroad but loses at home

Of: Jennie Aradszky and Zozan Palonen Uzun

During the week, gender equality was debated in connection with International Women's Day. The Swedish government is actively working on proposals to strengthen gender equality, both nationally and globally. At the same time, Sweden has lost in certain areas according to the EU's gender equality index. - This is something that we have a hard time accepting, because we believe that we are the best at gender equality in Sweden, says gender researcher Anneli Häyrén to DN.

March 15, 2021, Current debate

Strong unions halt the crisis for gender equality

Together, the trade union movement works globally with gender equality, here at a seminar in Benin. Photo: Lina Karlsson

Of: Sofia Eastmark

Around the world, more women than men have lost income and jobs during the covid-19 pandemic. That is why strong unions are especially important right now. Together, we can put an end to the serious, historic decline for women in working life, says Sofia Östmark, Chancellor at Union to Union.

March 12, 2021, Debate