Playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) constantly experimented and pushed boundaries in his writing.

Ibsen provoked his contemporary audience. His plays were controversial because he unveiled many of the truths and conflicts which society preferred to keep hidden. He brought up issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, women’s unequal status in public and private spheres, social stigmas, fraud, betrayal and economic insecurity. Ibsen focused on how individuals in their relationships with others are often guided by hidden motives and how society norms can be at odds with the needs of individual human beings. Ibsen showed that women in particular were held down by conventional and static gender roles as defined by marriage and society at large. Women’s choices in life were extremely limited. At the time, Norwegian women did not have the right to vote, to own property in their own names, to open a bank account or to retain custody of their children in case of divorce. They were minors per public definition. But Ibsen was concerned with women’s freedom to make their own choices in their own lives, whether these were good or bad, and the right of women to define their own values and the way they want to live.

This publication shows that there are many contrasting views on Ibsen, his influence and societies’ expectations on gender relations and equality between men and women. Even today, Ibsen provokes us, and his plays continue to induce heated debates, in particular as far as women’s rights and gender relations are concerned.

Ibsen pointed out fundamental questions related to human relationships, social conditions and women’s dilemmas or problems. He did not give answers or further guidance for women (or men) on what to do with their lives. He neither addressed government policy nor advocated specific for measures anyone to take. Instead he highlighted problems and issues, offering thoughts and ideas regarding social justice, equality, and individual dilemmas in women’s interaction with the society at large. The absence of prescriptions has meant that each new generation, be it in a developed or a developing country, women, in their own context, may relate to and understand Ibsen’s themes.

After Ibsen, women in many countries have made great strides in gaining choice to determine their role in the family and in society. Women all over the world still meet, however, barriers to their full participation in all spheres of society, be it politically, economically or culturally.

Norwegian foreign policy and development cooperation focus on promoting gender equality. We believe that Ibsen’s drama can make a significant contribution, raising women’s issues and gender equality on the international political agenda. In 2006 we mark the Centennial of Henrik Ibsen’s death. By arranging seminars on issues of gender equality we pay homage to our great author and his role as society’s conscience.

Ibsen touches our lives individually and collectively in various ways. Our idea is to facilitate seminars that will portray Ibsen the dramatist who inspires and challenges us today. He inspires new perspectives and contrasting views on gender equality. We hope that the seminars will offer an opportunity to discuss gender issues, share experiences and raise public awareness about gender issues in various contexts as seen through the prisms of art and literature. Our aim is to further our understanding of the past and to identify new directions for the future.