Every year, the City organises the ‘Voice of Young People’ event, which aims to strengthen children and young people's experience of participation and ability to make a difference, and to increase understanding of children and young people's ideas and experiences in City administration. This year, the event took place in Central Library Oodi on Thursday, 11 September 2025. More than 80 girls aged 13–19 from different backgrounds as well as leaders and experts from the Culture and Leisure Division attended the event. Deputy Mayor Paavo Arhinmäki gave the opening speech.
The event discussed what girls think about hobbies and leisure time. What kind of activities are in demand, and what are young people's experiences of e.g. youth centres and sports facilities?
Girls want dedicated facilities and groups
The young people who took part in the event agreed that girls should be offered more dedicated hobby groups and facilities. This is especially true for physical activity. The weekly women's swimming session at the Jakomäki swimming hall was considered insufficient, and there was also a great need for women to have their own gym sessions, for example.
The girls found physical exercise together with boys distressing. For example, gyms are perceived as men's areas where girls fear harassment and cannot feel relaxed. Dedicated spaces for women protected from view would also allow for lighter clothing more appropriate for exercise, especially for Muslims.
“I would like to have hobbies and physical education without boys. I believe that many have encountered aggressive behaviour from boys. It feels easier to be with just the girls and then you can dress more freely," one of the participants said.
Trials make it easier to start new hobbies
The young people argued that it would be worth making it as easy as possible to get involved in hobbies. For example, the requirement to register in advance raises the threshold for participation.
“Activities where you can just turn up when it suits you work well for young people. For many young people and their guardians, enrolment is difficult because you have to get to know the systems and take into account the enrolment deadlines," general upper secondary school student Valentina Chausova said.
Another recurring wish was that more trials should be made available so that people do not have to commit to a hobby before they know whether they like it or not.
“Many people don't want to sign up for activities because if you don't like it, you have to tell the teacher. It feels awkward. I wish there was one trial session, after which you didn’t have to explain whether you want to continue or not,” one young person said.
Videos in different languages requested on social media channels
Many participants pointed out that it is difficult to get an idea of what is on offer for young people and what benefits e.g. the Youth Services membership card Jässäri gives you. They hoped that information would be more accessible on social media, such as on TikTok, and in video format. Communication through the school, especially through Wilma, was also considered effective.
Young people wanted communication to take place in several languages. Content in different languages would be attractive, even if the hobby itself is in Finnish. Young people also said that even if they themselves could understand the content in Finnish and English, it would be much easier for them if they could inform their parents and guardians about activities in their mother tongue. Somali and Arabic in particular were highlighted as necessary languages.
Participation deemed an effective way to make a difference
At the end of the event, the directors present promised to do their part in promoting the wishes that had been raised. Director of Culture and Leisure Juha Ahonen thanked the young people for the opportunity to be involved in listening to them.
“This event sent a strong message that our services must change according to your wishes," Ahonen said.
After the event, the young people also thanked the organisers for the opportunity to be heard.
“Opportunities like this are really important. We often feel like there needs to be change, but our voices are not heard. Now I felt that people were listening and that there were people there who could really impact things," says Elina, 16.
Nada, a general upper secondary school student, agreed:
“The topics discussed here were very topical and relevant to us. I thought it was a really nice and effective way to make a difference.”
