As a result of a cabinet reshuffle, women now hold the majority in the Norwegian government for the first time.
28/09/2007 :: Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa (Sp) is replacing Åslaug Haga (Sp), as the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Haga is swapped with Odd Roger Enoksen (Sp) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Hence, the women now hold ten out of 19 ministerial posts.
“This is a milestone in the history of women and men in Norway,” says Norway’s Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud, Beate Gangås.
A long tradition
Norway has been a pioneer country as regards gender equality in politics and society in general ever since Gro Harlem Brundtland’s “women’s government” of 1986. In Brundtland’s Government, approximately 44 per cent were women. (Eight out of 18 ministers).
Following Norway’s 2005 parliamentary elections, the Inter-Parliamentary Union ranked the country as number five in the world as regards the proportion of woman parliamentarians. Currently, 64 of 169 seats in Norway’s parliament (Stortinget), are held by women.
International view
Norway has also set itself the aim of increasing women’s participation internationally. On International Women's Day 2006, Norway launched its action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
“The Government will intensify its efforts both to increase women’s participation in civil and military peace operations, peacemaking and peacebuilding, and to enhance the protection of the human rights of women in conflict areas. Norway will pursue a policy that promotes gender equality at home and in a global context”, the action plan states.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs