In the context of the focus area A fair and just working life, the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg aims to highlight, problematise and analyse issues relating to the sustainable development of labour markets, working life, labour market policy and education. Some of the knowledge of the focus area is also developed through workshops and discussions with relevant actors in the field. This year, several projects focus on the conditions for green transition and societal transformation in northern Sweden.
On behalf of the county administrative boards in Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Jämtland and Västernorrland, the secretariat is producing a knowledge base that describes the challenges and opportunities for women's and men's sustainable working lives in northern Sweden. Major industrial investments, with increased demand for labour, are one of the biggest challenges in the ongoing societal transformation. The economic and social consequences of the green transition are extensive, and to ensure sustainable development and an inclusive working life for all, knowledge about gender and gender equality is needed.
‘For the "green labour market" to be sustainable, we need to pay attention to gendered and unequal conditions. We know that changes in the labour market, regardless of what the change in question consists of, have gender-related consequences and that women and men, racialized, migrated, queer and disabled people are affected differently,’ says Ulrika Jansson, senior analyst at the secretariat and coordinator of the focus area A fair and just working life.
The knowledge base is produced to support decision-making in the counties' development initiatives. The main themes are gender-segregated working life, skills supply, education and the relationship between working life and other life.
‘Most of the development initiatives that are carried out lack impact assessments for different groups of women and men. We need to include gendered power analyses when we work to create a more sustainable society, and in this case for a more sustainable working life,’ says Monica Forsman, special expert in gender equality at the Västerbotten County Administrative Board.
Green transition and green jobs
During the year, a publication on gender, green transition and green jobs will also be produced within the focus area A fair and just working life. It will contain a research-based analysis of how the green transition and green jobs are described in policy documents in areas ranging from municipalities and authorities to international cooperation organisations. What problem descriptions and perspectives are included and what is invisibilised? As part of the report, a research review will also be conducted that further highlights the social dimensions of green jobs, related to gender and other factors.
The Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research at the University of Gothenburg collaborates and has assignments at national, Nordic and international level. The Secretariat contributes research-based knowledge, gender perspectives and power-critical analyses in three focus areas: A fair and just working life, A free knowledge society, focusing on conditions for research and education, and An equal Nordic region, where the co-operation body NIKK, Nordic Information on Gender, is placed on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Read more about the secretariat's areas of activity and read our publications under ‘related’ below.
