Defender of women’s rights and equality
I am Saana Sarmela, a 31-year-old communications professional, feminist, and entrepreneur living in the Hermanni district of Helsinki. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki and have worked in communications within the private sector, politics, and non-governmental organizations, particularly focusing on advancing women’s rights.
Currently, I work as a communications specialist at The Coalition of Finnish Women’s Association (NYTKIS ry) and as an entrepreneur through my own company, Louhi Media. As a former competitive dressage rider and a current dog owner, animal rights are also very close to my heart.
I am running for Helsinki City Council from the Greens political party. My campaign focuses on equality and women’s rights.
Currently, I work as a communications specialist at The Coalition of Finnish Women’s Association (NYTKIS ry) and as an entrepreneur through my own company, Louhi Media. As a former competitive dressage rider and a current dog owner, animal rights are also very close to my heart.
I am running for Helsinki City Council from the Greens political party. My campaign focuses on equality and women’s rights.
What do I stand for?
I want Helsinki to invest in combating violence and harassment against women and to ensure women’s equal treatment in education, working life, and healthcare.
The city must be planned through feminist urban planning to serve everyone, from infants to the elderly. Every girl and woman should have the right to live safely without fear of harassment or violence, and sufficient resources must be allocated to anti-violence initiatives.
Wage gaps between men and women must be narrowed, pregnancy discrimination addressed, and small businesses supported. In addition, Helsinki needs affordable housing, high-quality public services, and accessible local nature to enable a good daily life.
I want to build a city where everyone feels that they belong. My goal is to promote a culture that opposes discrimination and strengthens the community. An equal Helsinki is created when every voice is heard, and all groups are taken into consideration.
The city must be planned through feminist urban planning to serve everyone, from infants to the elderly. Every girl and woman should have the right to live safely without fear of harassment or violence, and sufficient resources must be allocated to anti-violence initiatives.
Wage gaps between men and women must be narrowed, pregnancy discrimination addressed, and small businesses supported. In addition, Helsinki needs affordable housing, high-quality public services, and accessible local nature to enable a good daily life.
I want to build a city where everyone feels that they belong. My goal is to promote a culture that opposes discrimination and strengthens the community. An equal Helsinki is created when every voice is heard, and all groups are taken into consideration.
How do I make things happen?
I’m a woman of action – ambitious and results-oriented. In every workplace, position of trust, and business I’ve been involved in, I take initiative, address problems, and drive development forward. My motto is: if it doesn’t make an impact, it doesn’t matter.
One example of my ambition is my role in a 2024 violence study commissioned by NYTKIS ry, which examined men’s attitudes towards violence against women. I was a key figure in implementing the study and building the Light, Not Violence campaign. The results, published in November 2024, sparked a remarkable discussion in the media and on social media. Never before has violence against women been so widely discussed in this society as it was at the end of 2024. The findings also gained international attention – Denmark and Iceland are now conducting similar attitude studies.
You are more than welcome to join the team
If you want to help build an equal and inclusive Helsinki, join my campaign team or donate – every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference.
One example of my ambition is my role in a 2024 violence study commissioned by NYTKIS ry, which examined men’s attitudes towards violence against women. I was a key figure in implementing the study and building the Light, Not Violence campaign. The results, published in November 2024, sparked a remarkable discussion in the media and on social media. Never before has violence against women been so widely discussed in this society as it was at the end of 2024. The findings also gained international attention – Denmark and Iceland are now conducting similar attitude studies.
You are more than welcome to join the team
If you want to help build an equal and inclusive Helsinki, join my campaign team or donate – every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference.