Gender equality in the public sector is progressing, but risks losing momentum

“Gender equality is a prerequisite for all citizens being able to participate fully in democracy. Government agencies, universities and university colleges have achieved results, but now the focus must be on continuing to change the structures, norms and attitudes that sustain inequality,” says Lise Tamm, Director General.

Since 2020, 53 government agencies have taken part in the Government’s programme to strengthen gender equality efforts. Their remit has focused on gender mainstreaming, which means incorporating a gender equality perspective into all ordinary planning, implementation and follow-up activities.

All universities and university colleges in Sweden have also been included in the assignment. The Swedish Gender Equality Agency has evaluated the results of the initiative.

“When the Government clearly sets the direction and follows up results, gender equality work has an impact. When such governance is lacking, agencies and higher education institutions often perceive the work as something that can be deprioritised,” says Sandra Moberg, investigator.

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency is now recommending that the Government permanently regulate gender mainstreaming work for all government agencies and higher education institutions, for example through an ordinance.

Examples of results from gender equality work

Swedish Energy Agency works with climate and energy issues from a gender equality perspective. This work has helped highlight social aspects in the transition to sustainable energy, an area that is otherwise often dominated by a focus on technology and systems. The agency has also begun integrating a gender equality perspective into its work on civil preparedness.

Swedish Enforcement Authority has identified that it has the greatest opportunity to make an impact in combating economic abuse. It has developed guidance materials and revised its guidelines. When handling debt restructuring cases, the authority takes into account how a person’s debt arose. Experiences of economic abuse are also considered in cases concerning deferred wage attachment. This has had positive effects for people in vulnerable situations. 

Swedish Transport Agency has focused its work on influencing international regulatory processes to contribute to gender-equal crash safety standards. Its efforts have led to the development of new regulations requiring the automotive industry to use crash test dummies that represent different types of human bodies. Previously, the crash test dummies used mainly represented male bodies. One result of the changes is that both women and men will receive better protection in accidents. 

Swedish Defence University and other agencies have collaborated on recruitment initiatives. During the programme period, the proportion of women enrolled in the Officer Programme increased.  

Malmö University has in its police education programme, Malmö University has worked on how different forms of power and norms influence professional practice. The programme provides knowledge about how sexism, homophobia and racism can manifest themselves, and how police officers can respond to such situations. Students report that the training has equipped them to handle a variety of situations and interactions with people in a more reflective and informed way. One recurring example concerns students, particularly men, who state that they have become better at recognising and understanding sexual harassment.

Umeå University has developed its recruitment processes to make them more legally robust and gender-equal. This has produced results, including an increase in the number of women in certain positions. Initiatives have also supported women’s promotion opportunities and contributed to a more balanced gender distribution in leadership roles. The work has also led to a fairer distribution of research funding.  

Read the report Clear Direction and Long-Term Commitment for Greater Impact