Interest in gender equality issues appears to have cooled in Härnösand, Sweden, according to a report from Myndigheten för ungdoms- och civilsamhällesfrågor. On International Women's Day, March 8, 2026, SVT reporters found that several residents in Härnösand had forgotten the date. Molly Mabergs, a local resident, stated she had never paid attention to the day and that no one in her social circle discussed it.
Britt Marie Scander from Härnösans tjej- och kvinnojour expressed concern that women's rights issues are no longer as prioritized and that progress has reversed. According to the report, only 13% of young people aged 16-29 consider gender equality one of the three most important societal issues, down from 21% in 2018. The gender gap persists, with 21% of young women viewing gender equality as important compared to just 6% of young men.
I have never paid attention to it and no one has talked about it in my vicinity
The local women's shelter marked the day by inviting elected officials to discuss issues including pornography regulation and preventing mental illness from leading to fatal violence against women.
I don't understand why more people aren't screaming