Equality

The Government will combat all forms of discrimination. Everyone has a right to self-development and to utilise his/her abilities and live his/her own life, irrespective of gender, social background, religion, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic background.

The Ministry of Children and Equality is responsible for coordinating the Government’s family and equality policies and legislation in this area. The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion is responsible for immigration and asylum policy and for the policy towards the Sami people and minorities.

On this page you will find general information and documents that relate to equality. You can explore this topic in more detail by using the menu on the right.

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Gender equality

[Article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 25.01.2012]

The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion has the coordinating responsibility for gender equality policies. Key measures in the Government's work for gender equality integration are the activity and reporting obligations that are embedded in the Gender Equality and Anti-discrimination Acts, the reporting instruction and the main budget circular from the Ministry of Finance.

Ethnic Discrimination

[Article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 24.01.2012]

All people shall have the same rights, obligations and opportunities regardless ethnic background. The Government will combat all forms of discrimination, oppression, intolerance and racism. The Anti-Discrimination Act protects against ethnic discrimination. The Government has an action plan for promoting equality and preventing ethnic discrimination covering the period 2009 – 2012, and this is reviewed on an annual basis through status reports.

Disabilities

[Article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 24.01.2012]

The Government aims to ensure that persons with disabilities can protect their rights and obligations as citizens. The principles of social equality and universal design underpin the Government's efforts. Persons with disabilities must be ensured living conditions and a quality of life equal to the general population.

“Reaching the most vulnerable”

[Speech/article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 21.06.2011]

Global Roundtable on Board Diversity

[Speech/article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 30.03.2010]

Speach held 26th of March 2010. At International Finance Corporation (IFC), (Verdensbanken), Washington D.C., USA

Comprehensive protection against discriminiation (NOU 2009:14)

[Article, Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, 08.10.2009]

Gender Equality in Higher Education

[Article, Ministry of Education and Research, 15.07.2009]

Norway has a very high proportion of women with higher education degrees. In 2004, almost 60 per cent of registered students at Norwegian universities and colleges were women. More than 21 per cent of Norwegian women have a university or college degree, compared with 16 per cent of Norwegian men.

Gender Equality in the Research Sector

[Article, Ministry of Education and Research, 15.07.2009]

In 1992, women accounted for only 21 per cent of all doctorates in Norwegian universities and university colleges. By 2002 the proportion of women had increased significantly to 40 per cent and it has remained stable at this level ever since. However, in 2004 women accounted for only 16 per cent of appointments to professorships, and progress in this area is very slow.

Gender Equality in Comprehensive Education

[Article, Ministry of Education and Research, 15.07.2009]

Work on achieving gender equality in the Norwegian school system has been given a high priority for many years. The content of educational programmes shall have sufficient focus on the question of gender equality, boys and girls shall receive equal treatment at school, and the gender distribution of staff shall be evened out.

Gender Equality in Kindergartens

[Article, Ministry of Education and Research, 31.03.2009]

From 1 January 2006, day care centres come under the Ministry of Education and Research, rather than the Ministry of Children and Equality. This means that day care centres in Norway are regarded as being part of the educational system, part of the learning process.