Väestöliitto, The Family Federation of Finland works in the fields of social affairs and health. Väestöliitto was founded in 1941 and composed of 31 member organizations. Väestöliitto has 100 employees. In addition about 80 child minders work part time. The Chairman is Mr Reino T. Hjerppe, Ph.D. (Pol.Sc.) and the Managing Director is Ms Helena Hiila-O´Brien, M.Sc. (Pol.Sc.).
Väestöliitto produces and disseminates information about families, young people, immigrants and the size and structure of the population. The Federation also acts as an advocate in improving families’ life circumstances. A healthy, safe and balanced life begins in the home, which is why the Federation especially focuses on the family and on what is required for it to function.
Väestöliitto acts in the family, population and sexual health field. In addition, it carries out infertility research and treatment as well as counselling in family relations, hereditary diseases, infertility and sexual health. The Federation is also an active promoter of a multicultural and tolerant Finland.
Väestöliitto has an active role in influencing social policy. It wants to promote social policy and family-friendly attitudes that improve the living conditions of families with children. Väestöliitto’s aim is for increased support for family formation, parenthood and the permanence of couple relationships. The Federation strives to impact these issues by providing direct services to families and their members and by proposing initiatives and carrying out research.
The Federation’s research focus is on the family, the population and sexology as well as in medical research. Väestöliitto publishes human relationship and sex education material and provides further education in its field for experts in social affairs and welfare, teachers and researchers. It develops new models for action for promoting the well-being of couple relationships.
Väestöliitto provides temporary child care service in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. It also carries out multicultural family work and participates in development cooperation work in the population and sexual and reproductive health and rights field.