Feministinen Puolue aims to go far: Aro

The chairperson of the newly founded Feministinen Puolue (Feminist Party), Katju Aro, who has become the talk of the country after winning in the April 9 Helsinki Municipality Council polls, aspires to expand the activities of her party to the greater political arena.

Aro, who was elected a councilor securing 1,542 votes, termed the victory historic as it was the first election held after just four months of the party’s official formation.

“We decided to form the Feminist Party two years ago. It was registered last January. So this was our first try, and we won a seat in a historic win,” Aro told the Daily Finland.

To a query whether her party would expand its political activities and contest in the greater elections like that of the Finnish parliament and the European Parliament, the feminist leader said, “The Feminist Party will certainly take part,” although, she said, personally she would take these decisions later.

Aro, who works in graphic design and media, has also been involved in citizen’s activism from NGO and other voluntary platforms, but this is her first achievement as a politician.

“I have not worked in politics before, but have been an active follower,” said Aro, a master in arts, adding that she believes all politics should be about defending human rights and allowing everyone to live in dignity.

Earlier, in October 2016, when the Feminist Party was gathering supporters to form the party officially, it had its eyes on the spring’s municipal elections and then on the parliamentary polls.

The party described its plans as a part of women’s efforts to gain gender equality, to win in their long-standing fight against racism, and rooting out discrimination: “all of which the parties in power seem to have forgotten.”

For example, it is encouraged by Sweden, where the Feminist Initiative Party has managed to have a sway over a huge number of voters. The Swedish feminist party was founded in 2005. “Our primary aims are of the same nature: equality, non-discrimination and security between the sexes,” said Laura Franck, who is responsible for the party’s economic affairs and communications, adding that they want to do politics in a new way.

Talking to the media after her win, Aro said her party wants to ensure immediate care, mainly healthcare, and a basic income for undocumented individuals as well.