This Women's Day, we will donate 10% of the sales revenue from online orders made between March 2 and 8, 2026 to support women and girls experiencing violence through the women's helpline "Naisten Linja". Read more about the Naisten Linja/Women's Line and violence against women in Finland below.
Statistics on violence experienced by women
- More than half (57%) of women living in Finland have experienced physical violence, sexual violence or threats of violence. This figure is the highest in the EU.
- One in three (34%) women living in Finland have experienced physical violence, the threat of physical violence, or sexual violence in a relationship.
- Half of Finnish women have experienced emotional violence in a relationship.
- 30 percent have experienced persecution in their lifetime.
- One in six women has been a victim of rape.
- Women experience both serious and repeated violence more often than men.
Source: Statistics Finland 2023
How Women's Line helps
Women's Line helps women and girls who have experienced violence and their loved ones. The Women's Line's helpline number 0800 02400 is open weekdays from 4 pm to 8 pm. Support via chat is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 8 pm. In addition, Women's Line offers individual support by appointment and peer support groups face-to-face in Helsinki and nationwide online. Our services are confidential and free of charge.
Donations raised on Women's Day will be directed towards maintaining and expanding the Women's Line's services, as the need for help is enormous. Donations will be directed in particular towards long-term individual support, as there is currently a two-month waiting list for the service.
Thanks to companies participating in the Women's Day collection, more and more women are getting the help and support they need. Donations ensure that no one who is hurting is left alone.
Violence in a relationship
Violence usually creeps into a relationship slowly and gradually increases. It can be so subtle, especially at first, that it is difficult to recognize. Before physical violence begins, the perpetrator has often used psychological violence to undermine their partner's self-esteem. For example, the perpetrator may initially limit their partner's meetings, reduce their social circle, and gradually break their belief in their own abilities.
Over time, the amount of violence in a relationship increases and becomes more brutal. At its most extreme, a violent relationship is complete control, mental torture, and life-threatening torment. The reality of intimate partner violence is evident in the contacts that come to the Women's Line.
Leaving an abusive relationship is a long process and a major life change that doesn't happen overnight. It is also often the most dangerous moment in an abusive relationship. The longer the violence has continued in the relationship, the harder it is to break free.
As a result of the violence, the survivor's decision-making ability, resources and self-esteem may have been weakened to the point that leaving the relationship feels overwhelming. In addition, separation and its possible consequences can be frightening. Shared children, financial situation or shared social networks can also make the process of separation more difficult or slow down. Unfortunately, violence often continues even after the separation.
Recovery begins with sharing the secret. That is why Women's Line wants to be ready to listen, believe and support every woman and girl who has experienced violence or the threat of it, as well as their loved ones.
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