On International Women's Day, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is set to receive a petition calling for decisive actions against violence directed at women. The petition, which emphasizes the need for concrete actions and sufficient resources to prevent, identify, and address gender-based violence, is presented by the founders of the Justice for Vendie movement, Vilma Salminen and Saara Salminen, at Helsinki's Kansalaistorilla. The live coverage of this event is scheduled to start at approximately 3 PM.

This year's alarming statistics highlight the urgency of the petition, as six women have already lost their lives as victims of deadly violence in suspected cases involving former or current male partners. Additionally, the Finnish Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters reported a record increase in requests for help related to domestic violence, with estimates indicating that as much as 45% of women may experience some form of gender-based violence during their lifetime.

In a statement addressing the issues raised in the petition, Prime Minister Orpo has described the situation as a fundamental societal concern, clarifying that it is not merely a women's issue but one that affects all of society. As the leaders gather and the conversation unfolds at Kansalaistorilla, this event seeks to engage policymakers and the public about the commitment necessary to combat gender-based violence in Finland.