Minister Mattila will attend the meeting of UN Commission on the Status of Women

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Ministry for Foreign Affairs press release

The sixty-first session on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, CSW, will take place in New York from 13 to 24 March.

A broad-based Finnish delegation will attend the session under the leading of Pirkko Mattila, Minister of Social Affairs and Health. The delegation consists of members of the Finnish Parliament, a representative of the Sámi Parliament and representatives of ministries and civic organisations. The priority theme of the meeting is women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work.

In 2015, only half of the women in the world participated in working life. It is therefore important to create and strengthen structures which reduce discrimination and make the reconciliation of work and family life easier. Women’s participation in working life is crucial to an effective implementation of Agenda 2030, the sustainable development goals set by the UN.

“Women’s economic independence can be strengthened by many different measures. Public services and social security are indispensable preconditions for women’s full participation in working life and education. Just as important is opportunity for family planning”, says Minister Mattila.

Minister Mattila will also attend a round table discussion on equal pay, participate in several side events and meet Amina Mohammed, the new Deputy Secretary-General of the UN.

Inquiries:
Tiina Ullvén-Putkonen, Special Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, +358 2951 63106
Anni Kaukoranta, Senior Officer, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, +358 2951 63558
Johanna Hautakorpi, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, +358 2951 63235
Katja Koskela, Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, +358 2953 51489