The project was initiated to contribute to reducing the pay gaps that still exist between women and men in the Nordic countries, by creating dialogue between the countries and the social partners on how to move forward and achieve success, based on current measures, experience and knowledge. To do this, the project has taken a closer look at the experiences and knowledge available and at actions being carried out or recently taken to close the gap.
During the pandemic, the exchange of experiences between the Nordic countries was limited on this issue. New national commissions, committees and working groups with different mandates are now operating in several of the countries. The project aims to gather experiences and knowledge from the countries to promote Nordic dialogue and enable joint efforts for a gender-equal working life.
A crucial question is whether the focus on equal pay for equal work has brought the Nordic countries to a point where we need to emphasise equal pay for work of equal value (pay equity) instead. The focus will be on work of a different nature, but with the same/similar knowledge and skills requirements, responsibilities and effort requirements. Work of ‘equal value’ includes, but goes beyond ‘equal work’. Equal pay for work of equal value covers not only cases where women and men perform the same or similar work but also the situation where they perform different work.
To achieve its purpose, the project has:
NIKK will continuously communicate results from the project, including through a side event at Finnish Gender Equality Days in October 2025 and a webinar arranged together with the Nordic institution NIVA in January 2026.
Project timespan
2023-2024
Commissioned by
Nordic Council of Ministers
Contact
Jimmy Sand
Project budget
1 500 000 DKK