Tampere's equality and non-discrimination plan is being updated – come to the residents' meetings and answer the questionnaire

Questions of equality and non-discrimination will be discussed at two resident events open to all those who are interested. The meetings are in Finnish.

• on Tuesday, 7 June 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. remotely online
• on Thursday, 9 June 2022 from 5 to 7 p,m, at the main library in Metso (Pirkankatu 2)

Please register for the events by 3 June 2022.

Ilmoittaudu asukastilaisuuksiin

The questionnaire on the state of the city’s equality and non-discrimination will be open from 6 to 26 June 2022. It will also be available in the city’s local squares and libraries. The questionnaire can be answered not only in Finnish, but also in English, Swedish, Russian, Estonian, Arabic, Persian/Farsi and Somali.

The resident events can be attended and the questionnaire answered even if you yourself have not experienced discrimination or been the victim of unequal treatment.

“In the survey, we are looking not only at people's personal experiences of discrimination or unequal treatment, but also more broadly at whether people in Tampere have noticed how other people have been treated badly. In particular, I hope to hear from those who have felt discriminated against or treated unequally," says Annamari Tuominen, Equality Coordinator of the City of Tampere.

The results of the resident events and questionnaire will be used to update the City of Tampere’s equality and non-discrimination plan. The plan will define how the City of Tampere will promote equality and non-discrimination in its own activities, and prevent and intervene in discrimination. The plan will be ready at the turn of the year 2022–2023.

Equality is a human right

According to the Non-discrimination Act, municipalities must assess and promote the implementation of non-discrimination in their own activities.

“Non-discrimination means that all people are equal, regardless of any personal reasons. This is one of the human rights," says Annamari Tuominen.

According to the Non-discrimination Act, no one may be discriminated against on the basis of age, origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, political activity, trade union activity, family relations, health, disability, sexual orientation or other personal grounds.

Discrimination based on gender, gender identity and gender expression is prevented by the Equality Act. The purpose of the act is also to promote equality between women and men, and improve the position of women, particularly in working life.

“Experience of being discriminated against is real and has a considerable impact on well-being. However, bad treatment or treatment that seems unequal is not always discrimination. Discrimination is when a person in the same situation as others is treated less favourably than them simply because of a personal characteristic," Tuominen continues.

According to the act, discrimination is also harassment and an order or instruction to discriminate. It is also discriminatory to fail to reasonably accommodate people with disabilities.