March 8, 2025: – The political round dance about women's rights must end

We, female leaders in Norway, whether we are leading a football team, a sausage booth or a directorate must show that women's struggle are not just empty words.

In the Minister of Health's annual health speech on January 15 this year, it was stated that in Norway we will prioritize birth and maternity care. But do we? No, not, according to women who experience assurance with long and demanding journeys to the maternity ward that is inaccessible when the storm is raging.

Shortly, the birth rates came for 2024.

As of 1.1.2025, 21,877 people lived in Alta and 11,324 in Hammerfest, including the old Kvalsund municipality. This means that there are 10,553 more people in Alta than in Hammerfest!

Since the postcard campaign and patient focus started work in 2017, the population of Alta has increased by 1,224 inhabitants. Hammerfest has had little change. In 2024, altar women gave birth to 282 children and Hammerfest women gave birth to 104 children.

Of the 282 Alta children born in 2024, 182 were born in Hammerfest, 61 born in Alta, 36 at UNN, 2 in Oslo and 1 in Kirkenes. In addition to these, the figures come from Kautokeino and Loppa.

GOOD PEOPLE: You see the numbers, and they show that Alta, of course, has to have a maternity ward – right?

It goes against choices. The Labor Party and the Center Party have voted down every single proposal Focus focus has presented the case since you sent patient focus and the undersigned to the Storting in 2021.

For the case is roughly like this: Before the 2017 elections, Alta was important to Frp and V. But SA Venstre was in government with H and Solberg from 2018 – 2021 so they also voted no to the maternity ward for Alta. So did Frp, until they left the Solberg government in the winter of 2020.

During this period, patient focus was on 75 meetings at the Storting. Meetings with all parties – who chose not to listen to the knowledge we gave to them. But when Frp was out of government, the party, together with Sp, was presented a proposal for the maternity ward for Alta. This proposal was voted on in the treatment of the National Health and Hospital Plan in May 2020.

Now Sp is out of government with Ap. In a short time they will probably say that they support the maternity ward in Alta. That's nice. The problem is that when smaller parties come with Ap or H, they forget their promises to women.

What happens if these parties come in government again? They will probably negotiate the maternity ward for Alta, they are against ABC clinics and against the maternity ward in Kristiansund. Other parties like SV and R will not help you – at least if you live in Alta.

I have experienced this thoroughly in the Storting. They do not deliver according to their party programs. For it is Kirkenes, Hammerfest and Narvik that are most important to them. Alta does not count – for the maternity ward for Alta, the state does not have any finances, employees or the desire to give us. You know it – and I know.

We must therefore work to secure women's rights, no matter where they live in Norway, to safe births and births that provide joy of life, through security and care. Norway has finances. We in the patient focus believe that the political round dance we see about women's rights must end. Women's right to safe food supply, as the women know the security must be established. Only then can we avoid women being treated as an item for financial gain for the health trusts.

In the rationale for my proposal for new Constitution § 111 it is stated that the constitutional provision must accommodate both the right to the highest achievable health standard and the special birth rights under the Women's Convention Art. 12 (2), as well as the rights of the Children's Convention to suitable health care for mothers before and after birth. In addition to other laws – that safeguard women's rights. You can read the entire suggestion by following this The link.

Then it is like this: The proportion of the Storting is higher than ever. 45 per cent of the parliamentary representatives in the Storting are women. On Women's Day, I encourage you all, women and men, to ask your preferred politicians to say whether they support proposals from Storting representative Irene Ojala for new constitution § 111 that reads:

Constitutional suggestions on safe birth from Irene Ojala on new § 111

New § 111 shall sound:

The state authorities shall ensure the right to the necessary health care, including the right to safe birth and available birth assistance.

Kven: Uusi § 111 Kuuluu: Staatin Esivallat Turvaavat Oikeuen Tarpheelisheen Tervhysaphuun, Kans Oikeuen Turvalisheen Synnytyksheen Yes Synnytysaphuun Joka Oon Saantheila.

Sami: Ođđa §111 Galgá Leat Ná: Stáda Eiseválddit Galget Sihkkarastit Rievtti Oažžut Dárbbašlaš Dearvvašvuođaveahki, dása Gulla Maid Recti Recti OaDjebas Riegádahttimii

Today it is Women's Day 8 March. Think about how many women have fought for women's rights to contemporary food supply! I won't forget their fight! I have a dream, that we women in Norway can influence political parties – and parliamentary representatives to make 2025 – 2029 into the « year of birth women ».

In this way, we could, female leader in Norway, show all young women and young men that women's struggle are not just empty words.

Irene Ojala, leader and

Storting representative for

Patient focus, Finnmark