Two in five women report harassment during Finnish military service

Two in five women conscripts in Finland experience inappropriate treatment during their service, according to end-of-service surveys obtained by Yle. The most common issues are bullying and sexual harassment.

A decade ago, more than half of women reported sexual harassment; now, fewer than one in four do.

The Finnish Defence Forces stated that societal issues are reflected in military service and acknowledged that some personnel still hold prejudices or poor conduct toward women conscripts, who remain a clear minority. Women make up roughly 800 of the 20,000 conscripts annually, with no growth in volunteer numbers this decade.

Harassment primarily manifests as offensive or derogatory language, the Defence Forces said. Causes may include the target’s personal traits, poor unit morale, or differing views on humour. Not all cases reach staff awareness, sometimes due to fear of repercussions or peer pressure.

Measures to prevent discrimination and misconduct have been strengthened, including updated guidelines, enhanced communication, and increased oversight. These efforts have reduced reported cases, though incidents persist.

Brigadier General Vesa Valtonen, Chief of Command, told Yle that equality and non-discrimination are closely monitored. While the Defence Forces do not see a systemic crisis, Valtonen said even one case of inequality is unacceptable.

“We do not experience a massive problem, but there is work to do when even one woman feels this is unequal,” he said.

Valtonen noted the Defence Forces’ reputation as a male-dominated environment remains a challenge, though he stressed efforts to change this perception. Some units may still foster cultures that emphasize gender differences.

Mats Uotila, chair of the Conscript Union, called the figures alarming and demanded serious action. He warned that such behaviour undermines group cohesion, trust, and operational capacity, calling it “unpatriotic.” While he believes the Defence Forces take the issue seriously, he urged stronger preventive measures and a culture that both deters misconduct and ensures reporting.