For the second time now, the City reviewed the situational picture of gender equality by compiling statistical information classified by gender using selected indicators. Most of the indicators are connected to three monitoring areas at the city level: health and wellbeing, City strategy and sustainable development indicators. A similar review was last published in 2021.
Gendered differences can be found in all areas of life under review (health and wellbeing, safety, education and work, inclusion and discrimination). The differences in Helsinki reflect the generally accepted perceptions of the differences between men and women. Homelessness, for example, is more prevalent among men than women, and women feel less safe than men.
There are also clear gender differences in the experiences of mental wellbeing and sexual harassment among young people: statistics show that the situation of girls is significantly weaker than that of boys. Most underage people suspected of crimes are boys.
Age and origin also impact gender differences
The observed differences have remained similar throughout nearly all of the indicators that were examined in the previous corresponding review. However, the experience of the quality of life of women has deteriorated and it is no longer better than that of men. The decreased mobility among boys in grades 4 and 5 that was highlighted in the previous review has improved according to most recent data.
We were able to add depth to some indicators by including another piece of background information such as origin or age. In terms of experiences of inclusion, for example, age seems to make a difference. Girls in lower secondary school and upper secondary level studies have very poor experiences of inclusion more frequently than boys, but a similar gender difference is not found among those who are 20 years old or older.
Information scarce on gender non-conforming individuals living in Helsinki
The publication examines data on gender minorities and the challenges associated with collecting this data separately. Current methods of data collection yield scarce information on the situation of gender non-conforming individuals living in Helsinki, but based on national data, those belonging to a gender minority are more vulnerable than others. Further research would be needed to review the situation of gender non-conforming residents of Helsinki.
