Iceland's Prime Minister and Women Demand Equality

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir Joins Nationwide Strike

REYKJAVIK, Iceland - In a powerful move to combat unequal pay and gender-based violence, Iceland's Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, announced her participation in the "women's day off" strike. Encouraging other women in her Cabinet to join her, Jakobsdottir expressed her disappointment that full gender equality has not been achieved and emphasized the urgency to address the gender wage gap and violence against women.

A Call for Gender Equality

Organizers of the strike called on women and nonbinary individuals to refrain from all forms of paid and unpaid work, including household chores, for one day. The impact will be felt strongly in schools and the healthcare system, which have predominantly female workforces. Even the national broadcaster, RUV, is scaling back television and radio broadcasts in support of the strike.

Building on a Legacy of Activism

This historic strike echoes Iceland's groundbreaking event on October 24, 1975, when an astounding 90% of women protested by refusing to work, clean, or care for children. This powerful display of solidarity aimed to combat workplace discrimination, leading to the passage of a law guaranteeing equal rights the following year. The momentum spread globally, inspiring similar protests such as the women's boycott in Poland in 2016 against a proposed abortion ban.

Iceland Leading the Way

Renowned for its commitment to gender equality, Iceland has earned the title of the world's most gender-equal country for 14 consecutive years according to the World Economic Forum. However, despite this impressive achievement, complete gender equality has not yet been attained, and a wage gap still exists within Iceland.

On this noteworthy day of protest, the women of Iceland stand united, demanding that their voices be heard and true gender equality be realized.