New seventh sub-goal to prevent and counteract honour-based oppression
Published
The Swedish Government has introduced a new, seventh gender equality policy sub-goal: Honour-based violence and oppression must end. The aim is to give the issue greater visibility and improve knowledge, so that more people can live free from violence and oppression.
Honour-based violence and oppression is a serious social problem that violates fundamental values. It often takes collective forms and can thus differ from other types of abuse. Introducing a specific sub-goal gives this issue visibility and increases attention on efforts to combat honour-based oppression.
The new sub-goal is:
Honour-based violence and oppression must end. Everyone, irrespective of gender, must have the same rights and opportunities throughout their lives to live their life without being limited by so-called ‘honour-based’ norms.
“The new sub-goal sheds light on honour-based violence and oppression. It is an issue that has long been invisible and that affects people profoundly – often at a young age. Everyone should have the right to shape their own life, free from control, fear and collective oppression,” says Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.
In connection with the introduction of the seventh gender equality policy sub-goal, the sixth sub-goal is also clarified as follows: Men’s violence against women, violence in intimate and close relationships, and exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking must end. Everyone, irrespective of gender, should have the same right and opportunity to physical and mental integrity throughout their lives.
The Government will also present a new ten-year national strategy from 2026, which will replace the current strategy to prevent men’s violence against women. The new strategy aim to contribute to increased efficiency, clearer governance and structured follow-up. In order to mobilise around the new sub-goal, an action plan against honour-based violence and oppression will also be developed for the period 2026–2028.
In the Budget Bill for 2026, the Government is investing SEK 166 million in new gender equality policy initiatives in 2026. Together with the reforms already in place, this will be the largest gender equality budget ever with important investments to counteract men’s violence against women, violence in intimate and close relationships, honour-based violence and oppression and exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking.
Gender equality goals
The overall policy objective for Swedish gender equality policy is that women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives.
There are seven gender equality policy sub-goals:
- An equal distribution of power and influence. Women and men must have the same rights and opportunities to be active citizens and to shape the conditions for decision-making in all sectors of society.
- Economic gender equality. Women and men must have the same opportunities and conditions regarding paid work that provides economic independence throughout life.
- Gender-equal education. Women and men and girls and boys must have the same opportunities and conditions regarding education, study options and personal development.
- Equal distribution of unpaid housework and provision of care. Women and men must have the same responsibility for housework and have opportunities to give and receive care on equal terms.
- Gender-equal health. Women and men and girls and boys must have the same opportunities and conditions for good health and be offered health and social care on equal terms.
- Men’s violence against women, violence in intimate and close relationships, and exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking must end. Everyone, irrespective of gender, should have the same right and opportunity to physical and mental integrity throughout their lives.
- Honour-based violence and oppression must end. Everyone, irrespective of gender, must have the same rights and opportunities throughout their lives to live their life without being limited by so-called ‘honour-based’ norms.
