Photo - Lehtikuva.
Finland ranked third in terms of gender equality among 27 members of the European Union, a survey report said Thursday.
According to European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) Sweden topped the list of gender equity index followed by Denmark. The survey report was published on Thursday.
The index measures equality on a scale of 1-100 in which Finland secured 73.4 points while Sweden and Denmark got 74.3 and 73.6 points respectively.
Gender equity in Romania and Bulgaria among the EU countries is considered shocking as these countries remain on the bottom of the least with 35.3 and 37.0 points.
The equality index is divided into six sectors – work, money, knowledge, time, power and health -- where Finland got 82.0, 78.4, 67.0, 63.8, 8.8 and 89.9 points respectively.
The True Finns MP Kauko Tuupainen (left) and the center of MP Anu Vehviläinen (2nd left)., The party's leader Juha Sipilä and MP Inkeri Kerola the plenary session of Helsinki, 7 June 2013. Photo - Lehtikuva.
Equality between women and men is a fundamental value of the European Union and is vital to its economic and social growth, said the report.
Gender equality has to be included at the very centre of political debate in Europe, recommended the report to reach the objectives of the EU's 2020 growth strategy. The strategy includes securing social justice and achieving smart and sustainable development facing the current economic and social challenges.
The report observed that despite 50 years of policies and actions at European level, the member states have not yet managed to overcome gender gaps at the desired level.
"There is a need for further efforts," it added.
Photo - Lehtikuva.
EIGE started its operations in June 2010 and published the first report based on its three-year works.
The index also points out shortcomings on information availability, especially on the issue of violence against women.
The index will be calculated every two years from now on for the purpose of the follow-up work on the progress in gender equality.
