These findings are from the study “What Are Finnish Women Willing to Defend?” conducted by the Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association (Naisten Valmiusliitto) and E2 Research. The data was collected in May 2025, and the study was carried out by E2 Research.

Women Over 50 Are Especially Willing to Defend Finland’s Borders

Seventy percent of Finnish women are willing to defend the country's borders and territorial integrity. There are notable differences between age groups: less than half (47%) of women aged 18–29 expressed willingness to defend the borders, whereas among women aged 50–59, as many as 83% were willing.

The majority of women are also prepared to defend human rights and gender equality (61%), national sovereignty (57%), Finnish welfare (56%), and democracy (55%). Among young women aged 18–29, human rights and equality (78%) and democracy (68%) are emphasized more than average.

Less than half (44%) of women are willing to personally engage in non-violent defense of the country in the event of a military attack. Nearly one in four women (23%) would be willing to take up arms in such a situation. Their reasoning includes:

“In the event of an attack, everyone has to pitch in. I don’t see myself as any different from anyone else.”

“Even as a woman, I can fight for my family on the front lines.”

“Previous generations did it, so I should be able to as well.”

“These results are encouraging and align with my own experience of women’s willingness to defend the country and contribute to comprehensive national security. Women possess diverse skills and are ready to use them for the benefit of society as a whole,” says Paula Risikko, Chairwoman of the Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association and First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Finland.

Young Women Are Also Willing to Take on Expert Roles in Crisis Situations

Finnish women are keen to contribute in various ways to ensuring the functioning of society during disturbances, emergencies, or crises. The majority (71%) are willing to participate in practical support tasks such as food distribution, first aid, or organizing temporary accommodation. Nearly as many (68%) would help at home and within their close community.

Women aged 18–29 selected multiple crisis-time roles from a provided list. Three out of four (74%) are ready to help with practical tasks like food distribution and first aid. A clear majority (77%) would assist their close circles according to their own abilities. Over half (54%) of young women are willing to provide psychosocial support, such as offering someone to talk to or supporting children and the elderly.

Young women are confident in their abilities and are more often willing than average to take on expert tasks in crisis conditions, such as IT support, education, or guiding people. They are also more likely to be ready to participate in crisis communication, for example on social media.

“The results show that women of different ages are ready to defend Finnish society. Our borders and self-determination, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and welfare are seen as worth defending,” says Karina Jutila, CEO of E2 Research.

Women Are Eager to Improve Their Crisis Coping Skills

A majority of Finnish women (69%) are willing to participate in training that improves their personal knowledge and skills for managing disturbances and emergencies.

Almost half (46%) are willing to participate in training to improve their capacity to support authorities in emergencies affecting Finland. One in five women (21%) would join training that enhances their ability to support military national defense.

Reasons for this willingness include:

“Training would actually make me capable of helping.”

“I’d rather do something than just wait for others to act on my behalf.”

“I want to ensure my skills are up to date in case they’re ever needed.”

“It’s encouraging to see that training is considered meaningful. Citizens’ readiness to act in emergencies is a critical part of national security. Particularly impressive is the fact that one-fifth of women are willing to train to support military defense. This figure even surpasses women’s participation in Finland’s past wars. In 1944, around 11% of adult women served in roles such as Lotta Svärd, canteen workers, or for the Red Cross,” says Pia Lindell, Executive Director of the Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association.

About the Survey

The overview was conducted by E2 Research, a multidisciplinary and independent research institute. The survey data was collected between May 13–18, 2025, through Norstat’s online panel. The sample represents mainland Finnish women aged 18 and over. More than 500 Finnish women responded to the survey (N=511). The data was weighted to reflect population statistics and analyzed using quantitative methods.

Further information on the results:
CEO, D.Soc.Sc.
Karina Jutila, E2 Research
+358 50 5515 361
karina.jutila@e2.fi

Comments on the results:
Chairwoman of the Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association, First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Finland
Paula Risikko
+358 50 5113107
paula.risikko@eduskunta.fi

Executive Director
Pia Lindell, Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association
+358 40 5611655
pia.lindell@naistenvalmiusliitto.fi