The national government will strengthen the rights of lesbians and homosexuals, help lesbians and homosexuals to live openly, and actively combat discrimination. The Ministry of Children and Equality has started work on a common marriage act for heterosexuals and homosexuals. However, the members of the government do not agree on this issue and the Centre Party has an independent position in this connection.

Norway works with encouraging “men to become actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and stress men’s responsibility". 

Business gardens are centres to promote new business creation. NOK 9 million has been allocated over a three-year period (2006-2008) to support female entrepreneurs in business gardens. This project particularly targets women in the service industries. The funds are channelled through the Industrial Development Corporation of Norway (SIVA), in close cooperation with Innovation Norway. The proportion of women in business gardens is currently 38 per cent.

Norway is a part of the European youth campaign for diversity, human rights and participation. The campaign, running from June 2006 to September 2007, is being organised by the Council of Europe, in collaboration with the European Youth Forum and the European Commission. There are national campaign committees in every member state, composed of partnerships between the governments and youth organisations.

The system of health care provision in Norway is based on a decentralized model. The state is responsible for policy design, and for the overall capacity and quality of health care through budgeting and legislation. The state is also responsible for hospital services through state ownership of regional health authorities. All clients have the right to receive individually adapted services. They have this right, irrespective of their age, gender, housing situation and reasons for needing nursing and care services. 

Norway has given broad support to the Millennium Development Goals since they were adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2000.

In order to encourage and increase the proportion of women in leading positions in Norwegian film production, the Norwegian Film Fund has established a special development allocation for films that gives priority to women. NOK 2 million has been allocated for this project, called Signatur K, in 2006. The intention is to allocate a similar amount in 2007. To qualify for funding from this allocation, at least two of the key positions must be held by women, and one of the leading roles should preferably be a woman.

Self-employed artists do not necessarily have the same right as other economically active people to social benefits and welfare schemes, such as maternity / paternity and adoption benefits. There is reason to believe that this may create special difficulties for women artists. The planned Report on Artists will further discuss how national insurance and welfare schemes function for freelance / selfemployed artists and which measures are necessary in this area.

In the period up to 2009, Norway will contribute EUR 1.134 billion to Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain, Portugal and Greece. Projects on gender equality and family policy are eligible for support through the EEA Financial Mechanisms.

In its political platform (the Soria Moria Declaration), the Government (2005-2009) pledged to increase protection for pregnant women. To be able to assess suitable, effective measures, better knowledge is required of the extent and nature of discrimination of pregnant women and of parents during and after parental leave. The Ministry of Children and Equality will discuss these challenges with the social partners and find appropriate measures.

The Norwegian Research Council states that, when recruiting, the centres of excellence are required to take gender equality into account and actively strive to attract outstanding national and foreign researchers. In particular, centres shall facilitate the exchange of staff members among the participants in a consortium, if any, and international partners.

Norway emphasises in particular education for girls and women and education for vulnerable and marginalised groups, such as children with disabilities and indigenous peoples.

In its political platform (the Soria Moria Declaration), the Government (2005-2009) announced that it intended to intensify efforts to combat violence against women and children.

The Government’s political platform (the Soria Moria Declaration of 2005) identifies women and gender equality in development cooperation as one of four main pillars of development cooperation policy, along with oil and energy, the environment, and peace and reconciliation. By the end of 2006, the Government will launch a new Plan of Action for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation, which will replace the Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation (1997-2005).

In its political platform (the Soria Moria Declaration), the Government (2005-2009) takes the view that it is essential to ensure full day care coverage. When full coverage has been achieved, at the earliest in 2008, the cash benefit scheme will be changed. The Government will retain a limited cash benefit scheme for the rest of the period.

The Government (2005-2009) has stated that they shall:
• ensure full kindergarten coverage
• introduce a maximum cost of NOK 2250 per month from January 2006.
• ensure that the right to a place in a kindergarten when full kindergarten coverage has been achieved is anchored in the Law.

Equality and gender perspective are to be integrated as criteria into all research funded provided by the Research Council.