National Women’s Education Center of Japan

　Ms. Silla KAKKOLA, the secretary general of the Coalition of Finnish Women's Associations (NYTKIS) visited Japan from January 22 (Mon.) to 26 (Fri.) as the keynote speaker of the FY2023 NWEC Global Seminar.

　On January 23 (Tue.), Ms. KAKKOLA visited the Gender Equality Center Yokohama in Yokohama City. She received explanations on the Gender Equality Center Yokohama from chief director Yukino TAZO, director Akiko TSUNEMITSU, and consultation center head Asako NIWA.

　Gender Equality Center Yokohama is one of the three Gender Equality Centers in Yokohama which conducts a wide range of programs including Information Resources, Outreach and Research Programs, Consultation Services, Career Empowerment Initiatives for Women, Work-Life Balance Support, Mind and Body Self-Care, and Violence Prevention against Women and Survivor Support. In particular, Ms. KAKKOLA, in response to the fact that the Work-Life Balance Support includes physical exercise classes for fathers and infants in order to promote men's involvement in childcare, shared that there are discussions in Finland in gender equality efforts regarding men's involvement.

　On the morning of January 24 (Wed.), online meeting with staff from Plan International Japan was held at the Nihon Joshi Kaikan.
　Miki NAGASHIMA and Takahiro SAWAYANAGI of Plan International Japan explained that organization and Women7 (W7), in which they are both involved.

　On the afternoon of January 24 (Wed.) she made a courtesy visit to Keiko OKADA, the Director General of the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office. Director General OKADA explained gender equality measures of the Gender Equality Bureau, including efforts to increase women employees in listed companies, and gender-sensitive disaster management.