‘Gender equality is a must for all’

Lucknow: Finland has emerged as a global example of policy driven gender inclusion, where equality is not dependent on social goodwill but is embedded in laws, institutions and governance. Experts believe that India should adopt a similar model to move from symbolic recognition to meaningful, everyday inclusion.Engineer and researcher Avneesh Chandel, who has been working in Finland for the past 10 years, shared insights from his experience at an international conference ‘From margins to mainstream: The journey of the third gender in India' at Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University .
"In Finland, equality is treated as a core social value and is deeply woven into the country's social structure. True happiness in society emerges only when equality is ensured for all," said Chandel."Inclusion is not charity but a responsibility of the state and its institutions. In Finland, equality is institutionalised through strong policies and accountability. When everyone is included in the mainstream, society becomes stronger and more confident," he added. "Finnish policies focus on early sensitisation through education, equal opportunities at the workplace and non-discriminatory public services. These measures ensure dignity, autonomy and social trust for gender diverse persons," he said.