Compared to the situation of the majority of women in the world, women in Norway are in a truly privileged position. It is only for the last 30 years however, that women have become on more equal footing with men in most areas of society.

The changes in lives of Norwegian women are partly due to changes in attitudes, but more important are the changes in formal positions, written down in legal documents. And a machinery to enforce it.

Equal treatment of women and men, and equal rights for both sexes, is essential in a fully democratic society. Gender equality does not mean that men and women must be alike. It means that the differences between women and men should not lead to inequality in terms of status or treatment in society.

For more information - www.likestillingsombudet.no

Women in Workforce
Today more than 70% of the female population are employed, and their financial independence has as such improved. The participation in the work-life is high also for those women with small children.

Women are employed in all areas of the work-force, but there are certain areas of the working life where women either are in majority or minority. The Norwegian working life is divided due to gender. The jobs typically held by females are in the public sector, work of a caring nature and teaching. In the private sector females hold jobs in the commodity trade.

Almost half of the female work force work part time. This is mainly due to the fact that women still have the main responsibility for children and other household tasks. Most women therefore hold "two" jobs, and the only way to combine them is to reduce the working hours for one of them.

Read more about the Social Security System here.