Recent mappings in Denmark and across the Nordic countries reveal a significant gender disparity in public monuments. While public spaces feature hundreds of monuments dedicated to named men, statues of historical women remain extremely rare. Instead, women are predominantly depicted as unnamed and unclothed figures, sparking a debate on gender representation in Scandinavian cities.
Female statues: the Danish mapping reveals a stark contrast
A new survey conducted by the Museum of Art in Public Spaces (MAPS) has mapped 1,538 statues across Denmark. The data highlights a distinct imbalance. The mapping shows 854 statues of men, the vast majority of which depict named historical figures who are fully clothed. In contrast, there are 519 statues of women.
However, the details within these numbers reveal a deeper inequality. Only 43 of the female statues portray named women who have played a significant role in history. Meanwhile, the country has 120 statues of unnamed, naked, or partially naked women.
Denmark’s Minister of Culture (Kulturminister), Jakob Engel-Schmidt, described the results as absurd. He stated that it sends the wrong signal to young girls and women when they navigate public spaces and see that female value is primarily tied to the physical body rather than historical achievements. The minister emphasized that public areas should reflect the significant roles women have played in shared history.
Perpetuating stereotypes in public spaces
Experts argue that this visual imbalance in cities has real-world consequences. Henriette Laursen, director of Kvinfo (the Danish knowledge center for gender and equality), explained that the current state of public monuments is not a trivial matter. It actively shapes societal understandings of gender and competence.
When public squares repeatedly showcase men as decisive and significant historical actors, while relegating women to anonymous, decorative bodies, it reinforces traditional stereotypes. Laursen noted that this landscape maintains the perception that men are the ones who act, while women are the ones who are looked at. Consequently, organizations are calling for a deliberate shift in how municipalities commission and approve new urban artworks.
Funding new monuments and public input
To address this gap, the Danish government is taking active steps. The Ministry of Culture has appointed an expert committee based at Aalborg University. This committee, combined with suggestions submitted by citizens through a dedicated public portal, will identify overlooked historical women and recommend locations for new statues.
The government expects to allocate millions of Danish kroner (approximately EUR 6.7 million) to co-finance the erection of new statues. The culture minister has already highlighted figures such as the renowned author Tove Ditlevsen and Denmark’s first female ambassador, Bodil Begtrup, as obvious candidates for future recognition.
Lack of Female statues: a broader issue in Sweden and Norway
The lack of statues of historical women is not an isolated Danish issue, but rather a pattern visible across the Nordic countries. In Sweden, independent surveys and campaigns have previously highlighted that there are only around 20 known statues of named, clothed women, compared to nearly 200 statues dedicated to historical men.
In Norway, the context varies slightly due to specific artistic landmarks, but the underlying historical deficit remains. While Oslo is home to the famous Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken)—which features hundreds of nude sculptures representing both genders equally in an artistic exploration of the human condition—the capital still struggles with historical representation. In traditional public spaces, such as the areas surrounding the Royal Palace or government buildings, statues of named historical women are significantly outnumbered by those of kings, politicians, and male cultural figures.
The ongoing initiative in Denmark may serve as a catalyst for neighboring states to reassess their own cultural heritage and ensure that future generations see a more accurate reflection of their complete history in the streets they walk every day.
