Finland’s new parliament looks radically different from most governments: it’s dominated by women under 35. The parliament is led by newly elected prime minister Sanna Marin, who, at 34 years old, is the youngest in the world.
This may sound radical to Americans, but Finland elected its first female president in 2000, its first female prime minister in 2003, and women make up 47% of parliament. Finland has a coalition government with five parties, all led by women.
Perhaps the reason for their impressive gender equality stats in government is their early suffrage movement. Women gained the right to vote in Finland in 1906 and Nordic countries consistently rank highest in terms of gender equality.
While Marin says her age and gender are both less significant than her ability to lead, this is a symbolic victory and message to countries such as the U.S, where women make up less than 25% of Congress. Hopefully, their example of strong female leadership will invoke similar progress in other countries.
