The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud

Latest from The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud

1. Call for applications12 Oct 2026

   LDO invites to free digital course week on equality and discrimination, 19–24 October

   • LDO is holding a week of free online courses 19–24 October on equality, inclusion and a safe workplace. Anyone can join, but you must sign up for each course separately.
   • 19 October: 'Discrimination 1-2-3'. A basic course on what counts as discrimination under the law and where to get help. Good for people who have not attended the Ombud's courses before.
   DisabilityDiscriminationEquality
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2. Statement9 Oct 2026

   Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud disappointed that the 2027 state budget lacks funding for violence prevention, disability employment and legal aid

   • Ombud Bjørn Erik Thon is disappointed with the government's 2027 budget proposal, presented on 7 October 2026. He welcomes the focus on defence, schools, health and jobs, but says money is missing in several areas the Ombud works on.
   • Violence: Every year the Ombud asks for sex education, campaigns against violence, more expertise in services, treatment for victims and perpetrators, and more money for crisis centres. The biggest item is NOK 20 million to introduce RISK in Agder. Thon says that is not enough as the largest effort.
   DisabilityDiscriminationEquality
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3. Statement28 Sept 2026

   Coalition of nearly 30 Norwegian organisations demands a new national coordinating body and long-term funding to combat violence

   • Nearly 30 organisations have joined forces in the Violence Alliance, led by the Equality Ombud, and are making six demands to the Norwegian government.
   • The figures are serious: over one in five women say they have been raped, over one in ten have experienced severe partner violence, and one in five children have experienced physical violence.
   Children and youthEqualityPublic health
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4. News article22 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Equality Ombudsman proposes gender-specific law for both sexes rather than gender-neutral reform

   • Norway's Equality Ombudsman, Bjørn Erik Thon, is against making the country's main equality law gender-neutral. He believes it would weaken legal protection for both women and men.
   • A 2024 government-appointed committee on men's issues recommended removing the word 'women' from the law's stated purpose. The right-wing Progress Party (Frp) put forward the same idea in parliament; a vote is expected in November 2026 and a majority may support it.
   DiscriminationEqualityLegislation
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5. News article2 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman participated in Alta Pride with lectures, case intake and a speech on LGBTQ+ rights

   • The Ombudsman and its Alta office took part in Alta Pride from 20 to 23 August 2026. They gave talks about the rights of LGBTQ+ people, helped people with complaints and ran an information stall in the main square.
   • Senior adviser Andreas Erichsen spoke at the Pride parade, saying that all queer people have the right to live safely and equally, free from hate and discrimination.
   DiscriminationLGBTQ
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6. News article28 Aug 2026

   Norway's Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman partners with the Centre for an Age-Friendly Norway to combat ageism

   • LDO and the Centre for an Age-Friendly Norway will now work more closely together to fight discrimination against older people and ensure they can participate in society on equal terms.
   • One concrete issue they will address is digital exclusion — many older people are left behind as banking, public services, and other daily tasks move online.
   DigitalisationDiscriminationElder care
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7. News article16 Jul 2026

   Norway's Equality Ombud puts the consent law and discrimination in the spotlight at Arendalsuka 2026

   • The Ombud's main event at Arendalsuka is a debate on Monday 10 August (4:30–5:30 pm): has Norway's new consent-based rape law — introduced on 1 July 2025 — actually changed how courts handle rape cases?
   • The event is organised together with Amnesty International Norway and the Norwegian Bar Association, and also asks whether police and judges know the law well enough.
   CourtsDiscriminationEquality
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8. News article7 Jul 2026

   Norwegian Equality Ombudsman warns: rape and partner killings of women are rising, with a conference on 27 August 2026 to seek solutions

   • About one in five women in Norway are raped at some point in their lives, and the numbers are getting worse, especially for young girls.
   • On average, eight women are killed by a current or former partner every year in Norway.
   Children and youthDiscriminationEquality
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9. News article23 Jun 2026

   Norwegian Equality Ombudsman files four hate-speech complaints against anti-LGBTQ+ comments found during Pride month monitoring

   • From 1 June 2026, LDO watched comment sections on Facebook — at news sites, local papers covering Pride, local Pride organisers, and LDO's own page.
   • On Monday 23 June, LDO reported four comments to the police. They may break the law on hate speech because they severely demean LGBTQ+ people — comparing them to 'degenerate trash' — and some urge violence.
   DiscriminationEqualityLGBTQ
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10. News article23 Jun 2026

    Norwegian equality tribunal rules Ålesund municipality guilty of disability discrimination at primary school

    • The equality ombud took Ålesund municipality to the tribunal in 2024 because Volsdalen primary school lacked basic accessibility features for disabled pupils. The tribunal has now ruled this is illegal discrimination.
    • Without a lift, pupils in wheelchairs had to leave the building and go down two outdoor slopes to reach the gymnasium – especially difficult in winter or wet weather.
    DisabilityDiscriminationMunicipalities
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