Legislation and Policy

National Laws and Key Policies on Gender Equality in Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport

 

Finland

Finland boasts a robust legal framework with the Act on Equality between Women and Men and the Non-Discrimination Act. However, these acts do not explicitly reference physical education, physical activty, and sport.

Conversely, while the Act on the Promotion of Sports and Physical Activity emphasizes equality, it does not specifically address gender. Nevertheless, gender equality and gender mainstreaming are systematically integrated into the policies and strategies concerning sports, physical activity, and physical education.

 

International Policy Frameworks – Finland

The GO Policy Mapping initiative looks at a set of international policy frameworks that apply across all countries. This table zooms in on Finland, showing whether it has joined each framework, if legal obligations are attached, and which organisation is framework holder.

You can sort the columns to view the information in different ways. For the full list of frameworks visit Frameworks site.

Directory of National Laws and Key Institutions – Finland

Browse or quickly find relevant national legislation, strategy, or action plan using the search and filter options. You can filter entries based on country, themes and impact area or search using keywords to locate specific document. Discover Finnish national laws and key policies on gender equality & sport with just a few clicks! 

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Policy Type Policy Policy Authority Year Enacted Impact Areas website
11 Strategy Harrastamisen strategia Ministry of Education and Culture 2019 Sport, Physical Activity, Physical Education https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/161382/okm_7_2019_Harrastamisen%20strategia.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
12 Strategy On the move, national strategy for physical activity promoting health and wellbeing 2020 Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2013 Sport, Physical Activity, Physical Education https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/69943/978-952-00-3417-7_korj.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
13 Policy Strengthening young people’s wellbeing through multidisciplinary measures National youth work and youth policy programme 2024–2027   2024 Sport, Physical Activity, Physical Education  https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/165628
14 Policy A strong and committed Finland Government 2023 https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/165044/Programme-of-Prime-Minister-Petteri-Orpos-Government-20062023.pdf?sequence=4
15 Policy Valtioneuvoston selonteko liikuntapolitiikasta Government 2018 Sport, Physical Activity https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/vaski/JulkaisuMetatieto/Documents/VNS_6+2018.pdf
16 Legislation Act on the Promotion of Sports and Physical Activity 390/2015 Ministry of Education and Culture 2015 Sport, Physical Activity https://www.finlex.fi/en/legislation/translations/2015/eng/390
Policy Type Year Enacted Impact Areas

Historical Highlights

First Women`s Gymnastics Club in Scandinavia Founded in Helsinki

Finnish Women’s Federation of Physical Education re-launched.

Ministry of Education report on ‘Women in Physical Culture in Finland’ includes sport.

International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) Annual Meeting held in Helsinki.

Data Statement

The information presented in this country profile has been collected by the GO from publicly available sources. The data is then reviewed by the members of the GO network. Dates of data collection and review are indicated below and updated on an ongoing basis. Historical data available here.

  • Data collected: August 2025

  • Data review: In progress

If you notice any gaps or errors in the existing data, don’t hesitate to contact us at data@genderequalitysport.org.