The Act relating to Gender Equality (the Gender Equality Act) was adopted by the parliament in 1978. The Act shall promote gender equality and aims in particular at improving the position of women. Women and men shall be given equal opportunities in education, employment and cultural and professional advancement. The law is based on the principle of non-discrimination, which is the cornerstone and basis for promoting gender equality.

The Act came into force 1 January 2006. The purpose of the Act is: to promote gender equality, ensure equal opportunities and rights and prevent discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, descent, skin colour, language, religion or believe. The Act shall apply in all areas of society except for family life and personal relationships.

The Human Rights Act relates to the strengthening of human rights in Norwegian law.