Feedback Session

Law and Governance

 
 

The focus in the chapter Law and Governance is on political and legal commitments for ‘states, federated states and polities with state-like features’ (in short states) within the Arctic regarding gender equality.  The aim is mainly to raise awareness of the far-reaching obligations regarding ‘gender equality’ and the critique that has been formulated by UN monitoring-bodies connected to the international legal obligations. The aim is also to raise awareness of the ‘discourse’ on gender equality in the ‘states’ if possible.

The purpose with the chapter is not do define gender equality and corresponding concepts in a single way, but to highlight the variety of perceptions in various contexts, with a focus on legal and political definitions (which of course also vary, but at the same time have some common essence).

Opening remarks

  • Hjalti Ómar Ágústsson, Project Manager, Gender Equality in the Arctic Cooperation Network

Session Chair

  • Embla Eir Oddsdóttir, Director, Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, GEA III Project lead

Key presentation

  • Eva-Maria Svensson, lead author of the Law and Government chapter, Professor, Department of Law, Gothenburg University.

Speakers

  • Rachael Lorna Johnstone, Professor of Law, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri
  • Indigenous panelist: Tonje Johansen, Political Scientist, Saami Council

Closing remarks

  • Embla Eir Oddsdóttir, Project Lead, Gender Equality in the Arctic, Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network

Questions for participants to consider

  • What are the most important legal and political documents?
  • Which are the most important controversial issues/debates in the varying ‘states’ (regarding gender equality)?
  • What are the conflicts regarding legal and political representation (given the power the ´states’ have)?

helpful materials

We found these materials helpful for the discussion

  • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) : visit website
  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development : visit website
  • European Convention on Human Rights : download PDF
  • European Commission Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 : visit website
  • Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023 : download PDF