Åsa Lindhagen

Today in the Riksdag, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced the ministers who will serve in the Government. The change of government will take place at a Council of State at the Royal Palace presided over by His Majesty The King. The Council of State will begin at 14.15.

The Swedish Government has decided today to refer a proposal concerning a human rights institute to the Council on Legislation for consideration. The Government’s decision is an important step towards establishing the institute.

The Government has adopted an action plan for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ people. The action plan contains concrete measures to strengthen the rights and opportunities of LGBTIQ people in the coming years. The action plan applies until 2023 but also contains strategic initiatives to ensure that the efforts continue in the long-term.

Preventing and combating men’s violence against women and honour-related violence and oppression is a highly prioritised issue for the Government. By adopting decision on the appropriation directions for 2021, the Government has allocated SEK 240 million to efforts combating violence and given several government agencies assignments in this area. Several assignments will focus on stopping honour-related violence and oppression. An additional SEK 130 million has also been allocated to the county administrative boards and municipalities to support efforts to combat violence. Several anti-violence initiatives are expected in 2021, with additional funds earmarked for this purpose.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships is increasing. Sweden therefore intends to contribute SEK 122 million to efforts to eliminate men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships, combat violence against children and strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Read about the initiatives contained in the Budget Bill for 2021 relating to the areas of responsibility of the Minister for Gender Equality, with responsibility for anti-discrimination and anti-segregation. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

In the Budget Bill for 2021, the Government proposes that the county administrative boards’ regional work to combat men’s violence against women, honour-based violence and oppression, prostitution, and trafficking in human beings continue on a permanent basis. The Government also proposes reinforcements to the municipalities for measures to prevent IPV reoffending. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Some 70 participants from civil society organisations, the social partners and government agencies took part in a digital meeting on 26 August hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and Minister for Gender Equality Åsa Lindhagen. Discussions covered the international coalition to work for financial gender equality, of which Sweden is one of the leaders, and international gender equality work in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Most people think it is an obvious right to be who you are and to be allowed to love the person or persons you love. "

This information material describes the Government’s work for the equal rights and opportunities of LGBTI people.