Denmark is recognized as one of the most gender-equal countries in the world, with women enjoying the same opportunities as men in the political, economic, and cultural sectors. Women were granted the right to vote in 1915, and nine years later Nina Bang was elected Minister of Education, making her the first woman in the world to hold a cabinet position. In 2011, the country elected its first female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, and today nearly 40 percent of the representatives in Denmark’s parliament are women. Equality is of such importance to the Danes that the 25 member Cabinet of Denmark includes a Minister of Gender Equality. However, a system and structure rooted in patriarchal norms presents inequities, regardless of the law. Sexual harassment and gender pay disparities plague the workforce, and high occurrences of stalking and violence against women persist in public life. Fortunately, The Danish Women’s Society, one of the oldest women’s rights organizations in the world, continues to hold the government to account in the fight for gender parity.
Sports are an integral part of Danish culture with handball and football ranking as the country’s most popular sports for women and girls. The national handball team is one of the most decorated in the history of the sport and is still the only team (men’s and women’s) to win gold at three straight Olympic Games. In 1997, they became the first women’s handball team to hold the World Championship, the Olympic Championship, and the European Championship titles at the same time. The women’s national football team were runners-up in the 2017 Euro Championship, and are currently ranked 16th in the world. Despite the team’s success, their male cohorts earn more money and receive preferential treatment. In 2017, the national team went on strike over contract disputes and is in a continual battle with the Danish Football Association.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Denmark:
Anne-Dorte Andersen
How does Denmark compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
39%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
43%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Helle Thornign-Schmidt, 2011 – 2015
Mette Frederiksen, 2019 - Present
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Bodil Koch, 1966-1968
Nathalie Lind, 1973-1975
Lise Østergaar,d 1980-1982
Mimi Jakobsen, 1982-1986
Grethe Rostbøll, 1990-1993
Jytte Hilden, 1993-1996
Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen, 1998-2001
Carina Christensen, 2008-2010
Marianne Jelved, 2012-2015
Mette Bock, 2016-2019
Joy Mogensen, 2019- present
Title IX Timeline
1849
On June 5th the Constitution of Denmark was signed, bringing an end to the absolute monarchy in Denmark.
1912
Sofie Castenshiold became the first woman to represent Denmark in the Olympics and win an Olympic medal (silver – tennis).
1915
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1968
Elfide Sauther became the first woman to represent Denmark in the Paralympics.
1980
Denmark signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Kristensen Jan (gold + bronze – shooting), Kogi Lissi (gold -javelin, silver – shot put), Lauridsen Ingrid (silver-slalom), and Bach Dorthe (bronze – swimming) became the first women from Denmark to win Paralympic medals.
1983
Denmark ratified CEDAW.
1999
Denmark signed the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
2000
Denmark ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
2005
Denmark signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
2011
Helle Thorning-Schmidt became the first female prime minister of Denmark.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
50
-
36
-
24
-
20
-
35
-
107
-
118
-
108
-
52
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
1
-
4
-
45
-
44
-
41
-
24
-
9
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1912
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
1996
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Sofie Castenschiold: 1912, Tennis (Silver)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1968
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2002
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Kogi Lissi: 1980, Javelin (Gold) Shot Put (Silver) Kristensen Jan: 1980, Shooting (Gold & Bronze) Lauridsen Ingrid: 1980, Slalom (Silver) Bach Dorthe: 1980, Swimming ( Bronze)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1974
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
Denmark’s women league Gjensidige Kvindeliga had 8 different clubs in the 2020/21 league. 63% of clubs broke even or were profitable and 61% of first team players in the league had a written contract.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1954
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
FIBA’s Her World, Her Rules project and social media campaign aims to promote women’s and girls’ participation in basketball throughout Europe.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Denmark Athletics Federation (DIF)
Denmark National Olympic Committee and Sport Confederation
