In Iceland, tens of thousands of women including Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, went on a full-day strike to protest against wage inequality and sexual violence in the country. This marked the first women’s strike in the country since 1975.
Women in Iceland walked off the job on Tuesday, with tens of thousands gathering in the capital Reykjavik for a rally in support of women’s rights.
Organizers said the all-day strike was a statement to demand equal pay and to protest violence against women.
Strikers also highlighted the unpaid work that is usually done by women. “For this one day, we expect husbands, fathers, brothers and uncles to take on the responsibilities related to family and home, for example: preparing breakfast and lunch boxes, remembering birthdays of relatives, buying a present for your mother-in-law, making a dentist appointment for your child,” organizers said.
This marked the first full-day women’s strike in the country since 1975.
The last women’s strike in Iceland took place in 1975, known as ‘kvennafrí’ (Women’s Day Off), during which women refrained from work for the entire day. Those who participated in the strike 48 years ago claim that their fundamental demands still remain unmet, even after half a century has passed.
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir also joined the strike
The country’s prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, also took part in Tuesday’s strike, walked off the job and attending the Reykjavik demonstration.
“She will not attend to official duties and in that regard today’s scheduled cabinet meeting has been moved to tomorrow,” a prime minister’s spokesman said.
Jakobsdóttir is Iceland’s second woman to hold the position of prime minister. She told Icelandic media that the fight for equality is progressing too slowly.
“Looking at the whole world, it could take 300 years to achieve gender equality,” Jakobsdottir told the Ras 1 public radio station.
Is Iceland truly an ‘feminist paradise’?
Iceland has once again claimed the top spot in the gender equality rankings of the 2023 World Economic Forum report, maintaining its position for the 14th consecutive year. The report reveals that Iceland has made significant strides in reducing gender inequality, with a reduction of 91.2%. Iceland stands as the sole country to achieve a reduction in inequality of over 90%.
Nonetheless, some sectors in Iceland still witness women earning 21% less than their male counterparts. Additionally, over 40% of women report experiencing sexual or gender-based violence.
Freyja Steingrímsdóttir, the Communication Director of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (BSRB) and one of the strike organizers, commented, “Iceland is often hailed as a feminist paradise, but we shouldn’t overlook the persistent 21% wage gap and the alarming 40% rate of women experiencing gender-based or sexual violence in a true feminist paradise.”
Sources: Guardian, DW