Greenland’s independent Council of Gender Equality was founded on 1st July 1998. The Council has since strived, within a funding framework and with rotating chairpersons and members, to reshape societal views of equality between women and men.
The political independence of the council means that it is not constrained by any public authority, and therefore operates autonomously, which ensures that the work of the Council is not affected by other political objectives.
The original remit of the council was expanded in 2013 to include such tasks today as monitoring the application and implementation of the Equal Status Act in society, issuing statements, initiating activities that promote awareness and discussion and, providing advisory assistance to the public administration and its institutions, private companies and individuals.
The legislation was amended on 1st July 2024, subsequently establishing the current framework for the Equality and Anti-discrimination Act. The scope of the amendment included anti-discrimination in order to address all forms of discrimination based on race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other views, national or social origin, age, disability, property, birth or other status. Consequently, numerous other equality issues have now been included in the legislation.
• The Council of Gender Equality is tasked with promoting gender equality and has several obligations that include: Monitoring the application of laws enacted by the Parliament of Greenland and their implementation in society
• Issuing statements
• Initiating activities that promote awareness and discussion
The Council of Gender Equality can also perform such tasks as
• Providing assistance to gender equality representatives from public institutions and companies.
• Developing ideas and proposals for authorities etc. on gender equality measures.
• Conducting awareness campaigns aimed at changing the negative aspects of traditional gender roles.
• Collaborating with other public institutions and organisations seeking to combat gender-based violence.
• Addressing equal pay and other gender-discriminatory issues in the labour market.
Legal powers
Following the amendment to the law in July 2024, an equal treatment board has now also been established in Greenland, comprising a chairperson and four other members. Based on specific complaints, The Equal Treatment Board has the authority to award compensation if a citizen has been discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual or political orientation, etc.
