Can you deal with deadlines and diapers?

De jure and de facto
The inclusion of both women and men in all spheres of public and private life ensures the full use of human resources and encourages growth and prosperity. Gender equality is regarded as essential for a well-functioning modern society. By keeping the issue high on both the political and public agenda, the Minister for Gender Equality strives to ensure both de jure and de facto gender equality for women and men, including the same rights, obligations and opportunities in all areas of society.

Educated working mothers
As a result of progressive gender equality policies, Denmark has high rates of participation and employment, ranked No.1 for educational attainment and access to basic and higher education for women by the Global Gender Gap Report 2007. Women currently make up 60% of the students in educational institutions. In addition, 70% of the female workforce is employed. The inclusion of women in the labour market is possible in parallel with a high fertility rate, partly because the Danish social welfare system offers 6-12 months' paid maternity leave combined with day care schemes for children down to 6 months.

Lucrative women
Research shows that it pays to include women and promote diversity in management. Danish companies promoting greater gender balance among their employees raised the innovation level to 110% as the gender balance was increased to 40%. At the same time, increasing the proportion of women in the management of private sector companies has been shown to increase profits.

The political arena
At national political level women are well represented, making up 37% of the Danish parliament. At regional and local level however the proportion is lower; this area is being addressed by the Minister.

Challenges
Denmark is still facing challenges with a gender-segregated labour market where 60% of Danes work in traditional male or female jobs. Similarly, there is a 12-19% salary gap between men and women, and a traditionally imbalanced maternity leave.

Gender mainstreaming
A central component in addressing these challenges is gender mainstreaming within public institutions. By law, gender equality is to be integrated into all public policy, planning and administration in Denmark. Gender mainstreaming thus aims at incorporating gender-sensitive strategies as a natural part of public expenditure.

The Minister for Gender Equality is also paying special attention to gender barriers for integration of ethnic minorities, encouraging women’s networks and female entrepreneurship as well as debates with men about masculinity and gender equality.


Related Case: A professionel network of women
A mentor network matching women with refugee and immigrant backgrounds with female mentors who are well-established members of the Danish workforce has created essential professional and personal contacts.