Widely known for her interest in human rights issues, Halonen served as the chairperson of the Finnish LGBT rights organization Seta in the 1980s, and she actively participated in the discussion of issues such as women's rights and the problems of globalization during her presidency.
Широко известная неравнодушием к правам человека, в 1980-е годы Халонен была председателем финской ЛГБТ-организации SETA, а во время своего президенства активно принимала участие в дискуссиях по вопросам прав женщин и глобализации.