Sunday, 20. April 2008, 09:07:10
Denmark, News, Women
Today it is excactly 100 years ago that a law was passed, a law that gave Danish women the right to vote.
The demand about women having rights to vote rised during the 1880's. It mobilized thousands of activists and changed the women's movement from being something that only happened in Copenhagen, into a national movement. The law from 1908 gave Danish women the right to vote for the local elections, and in 1915 a new law was made that gave women rights to vote at national elections as well.
Even though these laws was an important step in our democracy, there is still a long way to go. We still don't have equal pay, and women are still poorly represented in committees and as leaders.
The 100 year anniversary will be celebrated today, and I will go to the Copenhagen town hall square to see what happens there. Of course I'll bring my camera. 
Wednesday, 16. April 2008, 05:59:53
Denmark, News
Up to 100,000 health care workers and pre-school employees are beginning a work stoppage today, leaving many of the country's young children and sick people without adequate care.
No-shows from the unions' 70,000 nurses, midwives and physiotherapists will especially exacerbate problems for Denmark's already overburdened medical facilities.
The Association of Local Government Employees' Organisations (KTO) has last week negotiated a 12.8 percent pay hike over three years for many of the nation's teachers and also secured an agreement for public employees. But FOA and The Health Confederation want a 15 percent pay rise, among other conditions.
BUPL, the union representing many of the country's day care teachers, was originally set to strike with FOA, but the union agreed in principle Friday to a contract with employer bargaining agent Local Government Denmark, avoiding an even wider day care strike. An estimated 25,000 children will still be affected by the absence of day care workers who are FOA members, however.
Local governments in all municipalities are scheduled to meet today to implement emergency coverage plans for all affected facilities. The government, meanwhile, indicated it would be forced to intervene in the conflict if the strike created life-threatening situations.
But FOA president Dennis Kristensen said the parties had previously agreed that the government would not get involved in the conflict.
'It's a hidden threat from the Conservatives,' he stated on the union's website, referring to statements from the party's financial spokesperson, Lars Barfod. 'Every single region is working on an emergency plan. Unfortunately, the comments mean the decision to intervene has probably already been taken.'
Despite the impending chaos the strike would cause, 48 percent of Danes support the strikers, while 42 percent are against, according to a poll. I am one of the 48 percent, even though I am not one of the ones the strike. Their wages are way below what it should be. I hope the government decides to let the parts do what they need to do to agree, and not stopping the strikes. It will hopefully cause serious disruptions to the health care and day care sectors, making the employers agree on the demands.
Saturday, 8. March 2008, 05:11:31
Trivia, News, Women
8th of March is the International Women's Day. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc.
In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.
The idea of making an International Women's Day is to focus on the lack of equality between the genders, so making it into a "give your woman flowers-day" is ridiculous in my eyes.
The Day was approved by the UN back in 1975. 1975 was International Woman's Year.
My hope is that I live long enough to see the day where men and women are treated equally!
Wednesday, 15. August 2007, 04:03:30
Everyday life, Denmark, News
Today is the first day where a new Danish law against smoking in public building takes effect.
Basically the law means that smoking is forbidden in all public buildings, all workplaces including the private ones, schools and institutions, sports centres and all public transportation. There are some exeptions to this law, for instance is it possible for the owner of a bar smaller than 40 m2 to allow smoking there.
There has been a lot of debate about this law. Basically I find it good when people debate things, but the problem with these discussions are that they tend to get too emotional. The law is made to protect the non-smokers against passive smoking, it is not made to annoy the smokers as much as possible. There has been demonstrations against the law (basically by the bar guests) and there has been collected signatures against it as well.
The latest argument against the law is that it will cause more violence. Yes, you read it right. There is going to be more violence when people can't smoke inside. How? Well - when people aren't allowed to smoke in the buildings, they will go outside to smoke, right? And most fights start outside, right? And the more people outside, the more there are to fight, right?
No. Try to look at it the other way around. The more people on the streets, the better. I believe that crowds actually prevents violence.
So come on. Try to accept the fact that he law is made to protect non-smokers against the smoke.
According to the Danish Intelligence Service the threats is a result of the fact that some Danish newspapers re-printed the Muhammad Cartoons in February. The papers chose to print them again because three men was arrested for planning to murder one of the cartoonists. 
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