A Century of Women's Suffrage in Finland

What images of women are fostered by women's magazines? How does a homemaker mother reconcile a temporary job and a family? What is life like for girls at school? How does the law on assisted fertility impose limits on female existence? What impact does gender have in women's political expression?

Finnish women became the first in the world to receive full political rights when universal and equal suffrage took effect a century ago. How have they subsequently exercised these rights? Politics of Gender is a compendium of articles in honour of this centenary, examining the present state of Finnish women, women's movements and equality issues. The authors, experts in their fields, consider the connections between gender, democracy and political influence, and the opportunities they present. The preface has been written by Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland. The authors include Jaana Kuusipalo, Marjut Jyrkinen, Leena-Maija Rossi, Milja Saari, Jeff Hearn and Hertta Niemi.

The concept of politics is broadly defined. The subjects range from women in rural culture to the femal imagery of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, from gender mainstreaming to violence and prostitution. The unifying theme is the voice of women in modern society, who speaks for them and how they are heard.