The Danish Ministry of Culture and Aalborg University are collaborating to increase the representation of women in public art by soliciting suggestions from the public for women in Danish history who deserve to be honored with statues. This initiative aims to address the current imbalance where statues of men significantly outnumber those of women.

The call for proposals is being conducted through the website borgerbidrag.dk. The Ministry of Culture acknowledges that public spaces are predominantly filled with art that celebrates men who have played important roles in Danish history and recognizes the underrepresentation of women who have also made significant contributions.

Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt has personally suggested Nina Bang, Denmark’s first female minister, and entrepreneur Karen Volf as potential candidates for statues. Professor Poul Duedahl from Aalborg University emphasized that women are generally underrepresented in Danish history narratives, with only a small fraction of the content in Danish history books focusing on women.

A survey conducted by Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in 2023 revealed that less than 10 percent of known statues in Danish municipalities depict women. Out of 321 statues and busts identified by the municipalities, only 31 represent women.

Former Minister of Culture Brian Mikkelsen previously proposed honoring five prominent businesswomen and entrepreneurs: Elisa Sørensen, Marie Krogh, Bitten Clausen, Oluffa Dahlerup Brandt, and Karen Volf. Now, Mikkelsen, along with all other Danish citizens, has the opportunity to formally submit these and other proposals to the Ministry of Culture for consideration.