SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC WOMEN IN SWEDEN

S-KVINNOR S-kvinnor is Social Democratic feminists who place the class struggle side by side with the struggle for increased gender equality and the struggle against racism. S-kvinnor influences public debates and policy decisions with a gender perspective. S-kvinnor educates women for political work. S-kvinnor operates in international projects for equality and women´s rights. S-kvinnor´s activities are financed by membership fees, contributions from the Social Democratic Party, and government grants.

Our organization Over 7000 members All members of S-kvinnor are also members of the Social Democratic Party. 250 clubs Our basic organization, unites women across the country. 26 districts Sweden is divided into 26 regional districts, that organize the clubs locally. The federation Board of directors, president, general secretary, and office. The congress The highest decision-making body, meets every second year.

Our history 1892: The first women´s club is founded in Stockholm. 1907: The first women´s conference is held in Stockholm. 1920: 120 women´s clubs unite and form the federation, S-kvinnor.

Our history Important reforms: 1950s: S-kvinnor’s hard work against nuclear weapons, leads to the government saying no to nuclear weapons. S-kvinnor starts working with international projects to enhance women’s rights. 1970s: S-kvinnor fights for jobs for all and security for children, which leads to an expansion of childcare and the introduction of a gender-neutral parental insurance in 1974. S-kvinnor also calls for free abortion, which is introduced in 1975. 1994: S-kvinnor pushs through a Zipper system quota, that is one sex alternates the other on all party lists in all elections. 1997: S-kvinnor pushs through the “sex purchase act” that criminalizes buying sexual services. The law was at the time unique in the world. 2001: The Social Democratic party declare itself a feminist party. A maximum fee is introduced in childcare.

Presidents of S-kvinnor 1920-present Signe Wessman 1920-1936 Disa Västberg 1936-1952 Inga Thorsson 1952-1964 Lisa Mattson 1964-1981 Maj-Lis Lööw 1981-1990 Margareta Winberg 1990-1995 Inger Segelström 1995-2003 Nalin Pekul 2003-2011 Lena Sommestad 2011-2013 Carina Ohlsson 2013-present

Important years for women´s rights 1921: Women´s right to vote. 5 women get in to parliament. 1939: Dismissal because of marriage/pregnancy is banned. 1960: Special (lower) women's wages are banned. 1970: Marital rape is banned. 1971: Separate taxation (replaces joint taxation for families). 1974: A parental insurance (replaces a maternal allowance). 1975: Free abortion. 1980: Gender discrimination law. 1995: 1st reserved month for each parent in the parental insurance. 1999: Sex purchase act. 2002: 2nd reserved month for each parent in the parental insurance. 2016: 3rd reserved month for each parent in the parental insurance.

A feminist government 2014: The Social Democratic Party forms the world´s first feminist government together with the Green party. Several reforms that S-kvinnor fights for are prioritized: working conditions, social benefits, stronger welfare systems, women´s health, better maternity and obstetric care, reforms towards a more gender neutral parental insurance and work against violence against women.

Why do we still need S-kvinnor? The labor market is still segregated – female-dominated professions need to be valued higher. Women often have lower wages, harder working conditions and more often work part-time. Women still do two jobs – payed work in the labor market and most of the unpaid work at home. Women are still not equally represented at all decision-making levels in society. Domestic and sexual violence is still a huge problem in society. There is still a need for increased gender awareness in school and pre-school so that girls and boys get equal opportunities.

The economy grows when people grow Full employment – the key to women´s economic independence. Turn the trend toward economic equality. Give priority to the common good. Recognize and enhance unpaid work. A sustainable society – democracy before the market.

Work and family The right of all women to their own income. The right to equal wages and to full-time jobs. Better working conditions and working environment. Better security in case of illness and unemployment. More women in leadership positions. Equal parental insurance.

Our children Equal chances in life for all children. Give all children the right to pre-school. Childcare at unsocial working hours. Improve the quality of pre-school and out-of-school centers. Make the UN Child Rights Convention Swedish law.

Welfare and knowledge through life Invest in school and collage. More housing at affordable prices Better opportunities for mid-life education. Better equality in health care. Strengthen older women´s economic security. Better quality of elderly care. Welfare profits should go back into welfare.

Violence against women and children Strengthen support to abused women in all municipalities. Secure financing of women´s shelters. Combating prostitution and trafficking, wherever it occurs. The right to abortion in the EU.

Women and migration Women’s right to asylum based on their own grounds. Review the two-year rule. Meet newly arrived women’s need for knowledge and skills.

Peace and solidarity International solidarity for gender equality. An active policy for peace and disarmament. Prioritize UN efforts for peace and security. Empower women in peace processes.

Feminist environmental policy Invest in housing and public transport. Invest in sustainable cities and a living countryside. Phase out nuclear energy and develop renewable energy. Promote sustainable consumption and a environment friendly lifestyle.

How we work Internal Meetings for members Educations Workshops Brochures, Magazine Motions to the S-kvinnor Congress and the Social Democratic Party Congress Politicians at local, regional and national levels External Influence the political debate – the Social Democratic Party, the Parliament and the Government Articles in newspapers, press releases, statements Webpage and Social Media Seminars External activities