TYY supports the “Olemme olemassa” citizens’ initiative, along with the National Union of University Students in Finland and several other organisations. The aim of the initiative is to create a third, non-binary legal gender option in Finland alongside the existing gender markers.
TYY considers the citizens’ initiative to promote equality in line with TYY’s values. In addition, the initiative would enable the future development of study systems and student registers so that they better recognise gender diversity.
According to TYY’s policy paper, gender diversity must be genuinely recognised. TYY has carried out advocacy and lobbying efforts to promote this goal.
Current study information systems, such as Peppi and Sisu, use the official gender and preferred name entered in the Population Information System of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Students cannot modify the information displayed in these systems.
TYY considers it important that students be given the possibility to define their own gender directly in the Population Information System. Adding a legal third gender would allow the information to be entered into the system which also provides the data for study information systems.
The introduction of a legal third gender marker would also influence, for example, statistical practices, ensuring they better reflect the reality that not everyone is simply a man or a woman. This would improve the accessibility of services and strengthen trust in various public authorities.
You can sign the ‘Olemme olemassa’ citizens’ initiative in the kansalaisaloite.fi service. Please note that the citizens’ initiative can only be signed by Finnish citizens.