Gender discrimination among conscripts censured

The Finnish Conscripts’ Union has censured gender discrimination in the defence services following a research report which says half of the female conscripts experience discrimination in the army.

The report also says that 25 per cent of the conscripts were victims of sexual harassment, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

The study on the defence forces found 27 per cent women and seven per cent men experienced sexual harassment during their service, says the report, adding that in comparison 32 per cent women reported sexual harassment in 2011.

It is mandatory for all Finnish men to join either military or civilian service after 18 years of age, but for women it is voluntary.

According to the Yle report, the Finnish Conscripts’ Union in a statement on Saturday condemned all harassments and discriminations and demanded proper measures in this regard.

“Housing women on a different floor or corridor creates a situation where women get their orders later or not at all,” the Yle report quoted the union’s chair, Juuso Kurttila, as saying.