International Women’s Day: Nordic Financial Unions Push for Change

This Saturday, March 8, marks International Women’s Day, a global occasion to celebrate women’s achievements, recognise their rights, and address the persistent challenges of gender inequality. Under this year’s international theme, “Accelerate Action,” Nordic Financial Unions' (NFU) affiliates are taking bold steps to highlight the critical issues still facing women in the finance sector and beyond. 

While the Nordic countries are often seen as frontrunners in gender equality, disparities remain. Gender pay gaps, unequal career advancement opportunities, and workplace harassment continue to challenge the financial industry. That’s why NFU's affiliates are actively working to push for change.

Seminars and Webinars to Raise Awareness

To foster dialogue and inspire action, Finansforbundet Denmark, Finansforbundet Norway, and Finansförbundet Sweden are hosting seminars and webinars in partnership with their respective employer organisations.

The seminars in Norway and Denmark will take place on March 7th in Oslo and Copenhagen, respectively, while Finansförbundet Sweden will hold its webinar online on March 11th.

These events will explore key topics such as how to encourage women to pursue top positions in finance, examine gendered educational choices, and assess the venture capital sector’s progress in closing the gender gap. The discussions underscore the importance of collaboration between trade unions and employers to drive significant change.

Equal Pay: The Fight Continues

Despite progress, gender pay gaps persist in the Nordic financial sector. Finansförbundet and Forena in Sweden, through the “Lön hela dagen” initiative, continue their annual analysis of wage disparities. Alarmingly, this year’s findings reveal that the gender pay gap has widened, reinforcing the need for continued advocacy. In Denmark, Forsikringsforbundet together with 14 other organisations have created a gender pay guide with suggestions on how to close this gap.

Similarly, recent reports from Finansforbundet Denmark and Finansförbundet Sweden highlight that men, on average, still earn more than women in finance. A significant portion of this pay gap remains unexplained, underscoring the urgency for structural changes to ensure equal pay for equal work.

In Denmark, Forsikringsforbundet has joined forces with 14 other organisations to develop a gender pay guide that provides concrete strategies for closing the wage gap. This initiative serves as a practical tool for employers to address systemic inequalities in pay structures.

Mobilising for Change: Marches and Events

On International Women's Day, marches around the world serve as a powerful expression of solidarity. In Finland, Trade Union Pro is joining forces with over 100 organisations for a Women’s March in Helsinki, encouraging members to participate and make their voices heard.

Meanwhile, in Iceland, the year 2025 has been declared Women's Year to commemorate the landmark women's strike of 1975, when women stopped all paid and unpaid work, bringing society to a standstill. This year's International Women's Day holds particular significance in Iceland, as the day will not only highlight this historical event but also underscore the ongoing fight for gender equality.

To mark the occasion, SSF Iceland has invited its members to a special theatre performance in Reykjavik's city theatre on March 16th, with discounted tickets to encourage participation in this cultural tribute to women’s rights.

The way forward

Trade unions play a crucial role in ensuring that gender equality remains a top priority in the workplace. By negotiating better policies, pushing for pay transparency, and advocating for inclusive leadership, unions are instrumental in driving real change.

While progress has been made, much remains to be done. The global theme “Accelerate Action” is not just a slogan but a call to move faster and work harder toward gender equality. NFU and its affiliates will continue championing policies supporting women’s rights, challenging inequality, and promoting a fair and inclusive financial sector.

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate achievements, acknowledge challenges, and commit to meaningful action. The future of gender equality depends on the steps we take today.