Article on Norwegian Gender Equality in Harvard Business Review

Last updated: 9/2/2009 //

How Have Women Changed Norway's Boardrooms? Asks Kate Sweetman in Harvard Business Review.

Anniken Huitfeldt in New York

Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality Anniken Huitfeldt was in New York, March 2-5, to take part in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) about sharing of responsibilities between men and women, and to introduce a seminar on gender equality as competitive advantage presented by the Norwegian Consulate General and Innovation Norway.

The Government will combat all forms of discrimination

Norway will play a proactive role in combating discrimination on grounds of gender, race and sexuality in development cooperation.

Norway increases focus on women’s rights in development cooperation

Norway is intensifying efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality in international development policy.

New Gender in Norway website

Norway’s gender equality measures often attract interest abroad. Gender in Norway is a new, English-language website providing information on gender equality and research in Norway.

Norway introduces new Marriage Act

Homosexuals in Norway are now allowed to get married. The new Marriage Act, which the Storting passed in the middle of June, gives homosexuals greater rights in a number of areas.

As the challenges for the gender rights movements are changing, March 8th - The International Women’s Day - is celebrated in new ways in Norway.

Norway to promote women’s rights in developing countries

The Norwegian Government has launched a new plan of action for promoting the rights of women through development cooperation. Norway will require its cooperation partners to take women’s issues and gender equality seriously.

Norway Recruits Women to Company Boards

"A better balance between the sexes will secure improved utilization of women's qualifications, which in turn will lead to better strategic decision-making and enhanced profitability," states the Norwegian government. Many Norwegian corporations are thus required by law to have a minimum of 40 percent women on their boards.