Finland
Country Profile
Finland is not among the largest donors of ODA, but it is a strong and long-standing supporter of SRHR. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has chosen UNFPA as a flagship of UN organisations that receive Finnish funding, and annual funding to UNFPA increased steadily in 2009 and 2010. Similarly, funding to IPPF has also been on the rise. This financial commitment to SRHR has also been echoed by increased funding for Reproductive Health Commodity Security since 2008.
Set against this favourable background, Finland had a General Election in 2011. The new Minister for Development has a background in human rights and SRH issues, and the next four years look very promising. Early indications have seen children, young people and women as a special priority, thus enabling a good space for effective advocacy for RH and FP.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population and Development has a substantial number of new members, and work will be ongoing with them to promote active SRHR spokespersons.
