Advancing Gender Equality in the Arctic

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and component of sustainable development. As the Arctic undergoes rapid ecological, social and economic changes, the importance of gender and diversity issues is increasingly evident.

What Does Gender Mean in the Arctic?

There is no one definition or understanding of gender and gender equality in the Arctic. According to the Arctic Council’s Pan-Arctic Report on Gender Equality in the Arctic1, the Arctic is inhabited by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples who may ascribe to definitions of gender ranging from ultra binary—with exaggerated ideas of masculinity and femininity—to highly fluid non-binary understandings. Arctic Indigenous Peoples have varying views on gender, based on both their traditional cultures and the dominant Western cultures with which they interact.

Gender issues in the Arctic are not equated with women’s issues. As the Report on Gender Equality in the Arctic points out, challenges such as the impacts of climate change, high suicide rates and lower levels of higher education tend to disproportionately affect more men in the Arctic, and particularly Indigenous young men. This stands in contrast to global trends, emphasizing the need to focus on gender equality in the Arctic accounting for the region’s particular characteristics.

The First ‘Chairship’

Norway put gender equality and inclusion on its Arctic Council Chairship agenda as a focal point under its People in the North priority. Norway's Arctic Council Chairship program states, "Norway will seek to ensure the continuation of the Arctic Council’s long-term work on gender, diversity and inclusion during its Chairship."

One symbolic move towards promoting gender equality was a change in terminology for Norway’s leadership of the Arctic Council. The term ‘Chairship’ was used for the first time in an official Arctic Council capacity.

“Of course, a word alone does not make change,” said Morten Høglund, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials. “But it removes a small barrier for all genders currently in or aspiring to be in a leadership role. It may be a small gesture, but a way to pave the way for something new and to transform.”

Morten Høglund also notes that it can be a conversation starter and a way to get more people to reflect on established terms and possible gender bias inherent in them. “It created attention, which was actually positive. If people had questions about the terminology, this creates discussion, and we get the opportunity to explain why we did it,” Høglund added.