The ongoing social transformation in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland is driving innovation and regional development – but also poses major challenges. The knowledge overview Jämställd samhällsomvandling? Genusperspektiv på hållbart arbetsliv i Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland och Jämtland (Gender-equal social transformation? Gender perspectives on sustainable working life in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland) highlights the importance of gender perspectives and shows that gender equality is a prerequisite for long-term skills supply, attractive living environments and sustainable living conditions.
The report has been produced by the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg, on behalf of the county administrative boards in the four northern counties. It is based on interdisciplinary research, statistics and interviews with leaders in the private and public sectors, and shows how inequality is shaped by the interaction between social norms, economic conditions, organisational practices, the governance of the education system and political priorities.
Industrial focus and gender-segregated labour market
In the transformation of society, male-dominated industry is at the centre, while the welfare sector and care work are given lower priority – activities that largely employ women and are a fundamental prerequisite for the transformation of society to function.
‘The descriptions of the societal transformation are very similar, with a strong focus on industry. This means that technology-intensive and male-dominated industries retain resources, status and influence,’ says Ulrika Jansson, PhD in Work Science, who wrote the report with Jimmy Sand, both analysts at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research.
Risk of re-creating unequal conditions
The conditions for gender equality in working life are also affected by the fact that women still take greater responsibility for unpaid household and care work. This limits their opportunities to work full-time, commute or adapt to gendered expectations in male-dominated industrial jobs. As a result, the transformation risks recreating unequal living conditions, despite high female labour force participation.
‘Political and organisational will and commitment are needed to challenge and change gender norms that condition women’s and men’s opportunities in the labour market. One challenge is that solutions to inequality are found in many other policy areas than in gender equality policy, says Ulrika Jansson.
Knowledge resource for regional development
The report provides a knowledge base for the counties' development work and is aimed at decision-makers and officials in the public and private sectors.
‘Our gender equality work and the support we provide need to be based on research and practice. The purpose of this report is to increase understanding of how decisions and initiatives affect different groups of women and men. I hope that this knowledge will be raised and discussed in workplaces, management teams and in politics," says Monica Forsman, special advisor on gender equality at the Västerbotten County Administrative Board.
The report has been produced within the secretariat's focus area ‘A fair and just working life’.
