Women conscripts share troubling experiences of mistreatment from male peers in the armed forces.
This autumn, Finland observes 30 years since it welcomed women into its armed forces. While military conscription is compulsory for men, it remains voluntary for women.
Despite this milestone, a report by Helsingin Sanomat highlights that sexism and sexual harassment continue to cast a long shadow over military service. Many women hesitate to report these incidents, fearing they will be seen as overly sensitive or unable to fit in with their male counterparts.
Those brave enough to share their stories with HS conveyed initial acceptance of inappropriate comments, yet were taken aback by the alarming frequency of sexualized language directed at them. Reports included insinuations about exchanging sexual favors for promotions, alongside derogatory labels and even jokes concerning violent acts.
The Defense Forces have acknowledged these issues, acknowledging that their environment is not immune to pervasive societal misogyny.
Hannu Maijanen, the social services manager at the Defense Command, noted that the military learns about harassment incidents primarily through feedback surveys filled out by conscripts.
In a recent survey, approximately 20,000 conscripts participated, revealing that about 1.5 percent—or around 300 individuals—reported experiencing harassment. This statistic suggests that many incidents likely go unreported.
While these experiences have left many women disheartened by the behavior of their male peers, their disappointment does not extend to the military service itself.
“I volunteered to serve my country for a year, and I encountered such immaturity from these boys,” reflected one conscript.
The Financial Reality of Larger Families
“Big families are cashing in on child benefits” is a claim popularized on social media, but does it hold water?
Aada Rosenberg, a 28-year-old mother of six, has seen this sentiment echoed countless times online.
Yet, how much do these benefits actually contribute to her family’s finances? According to reports from Ilta-Sanomat, the answer is €944.13 each month.
“It might sound like a lot,” she explained, “but it barely covers a month’s grocery bill.”
With Aada managing most daily responsibilities at home while her husband, Topi, juggles nursing studies and paramedic shifts, the family’s monthly expenses reach approximately €3,850–4,600. Their total income—around €4,150–4,700—comes from Aada’s parental allowance, Topi’s wages, student benefits, housing support, and child allowances. To help bridge any financial gaps, Topi also takes on the maximum student loan allowed every six months.
The Endless Wait for Citizenship
How long does it take for Finland’s immigration authority, Migri, to process citizenship applications?
This question looms large for Alejandro Arce Justiniano, featured in a recent piece by Hufvudstadsbladet. He speaks fluent Swedish, has a stable job, and a Finnish family, yet has found himself in a prolonged waiting game for citizenship—seven years and counting.
His application has been in limbo for 18 months, still awaiting processing.
Mari Luukkonen of Migri confirmed that current processing times can extend up to 31 months due to a significant backlog, affecting applicants like Justiniano.
She noted that while 60 percent of decisions fall within the 14 to 31-month range, a fortunate 40 percent are processed in under 14 months.
The quickest cases, however, can be resolved in just two to three months, illustrating a stark contrast in experiences.