Women in Iceland Go on Strike Against Gender Inequality

27-10-2023

Tsedenia Gigar Getaneh 

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

Tens of thousands of women and nonbinary individuals in Iceland came together on October 24th in a significant one-day strike, representing the country's most substantial effort against workplace inequality in almost half a century. Freyja Steingrimsdottir, a spokesperson for the Icelandic Federation of Public Workers, the largest federation of public workers unions in Iceland, acknowledged the country's global recognition for gender equality efforts while highlighting the ongoing need for progress. (The New York Times, Oct.23, 2023)

The strike called upon women and nonbinary individuals to cease all forms of work, including household responsibilities and childcare duties. Even Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir pledged her participation, with expectations that other female cabinet members would join the strike. (The New York Times, Oct.23, 2023)

Beyond addressing gender wage disparities, this strike aimed to draw attention to the issue of violence against women. Drífa Snædal, a strike organizer and spokesperson for Stígamót, a counseling center for survivors of gender-based violence, emphasized that despite efforts for equality, gender-based violence remains a concerning issue. (The New York Times, Oct.23, 2023)

This strike marked the seventh of its kind in recent decades in Iceland and was the first full-day strike since 1975, when 25,000 people gathered in Reykjavík to demand gender equality. The strike had far-reaching impacts, affecting schools, theaters, and even the national airline during that historic event. (The New York Times, Oct.23, 2023)

While Iceland has made significant strides in gender equality, consistently ranking first on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, challenges persist. In 2018, the country implemented a law mandating equal pay for men and women in companies and government agencies. However, gender disparities persist, with wage gaps still at 21%, and issues like gender-based violence continue to affect women. (AP News, Oct. 24, 2023)

Despite its leadership in gender equality compared to many countries, Iceland still grapples with challenges, such as the unequal distribution of household and childcare responsibilities. Tatjana Latinović, the Women's Rights Association President, highlighted that women in Iceland tend to bear a greater share of these responsibilities, even when outsourcing the work, which remains predominantly female. (AP News, Oct. 24, 2023)

The strike had a notable impact on various services, including healthcare and education, leading to staffing shortages in schools and hospitals. Some major companies in Iceland supported the strike and encouraged their female and nonbinary employees to participate. (AP News, Oct. 24, 2023)

This strike, known as "kvennaverkfall" in Icelandic, underscores Iceland's unwavering commitment to gender equality, as it continues to work towards closing the gender pay gap and combating gender-based violence. (AP News, Oct. 24, 2023)

The participation of tens of thousands of women and nonbinary individuals, including Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, highlights the collective determination to address these issues head-on. As Iceland continues its journey towards closing the gender pay gap and combating gender-based violence, the strike acts as a powerful symbol of the nation's unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. It reminds us that the path to true equality is an ongoing one, and Iceland's example serves as inspiration for the world to continue striving for a fairer and more just future for all.

Sources 

1. The New York Times (October 23, 2023). Women in Iceland Go on Strike Against Gender Inequality. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/23/world/europe/iceland-equality-strike.html
2. AP News (October 24, 2023). Women across Iceland, including the prime minister, go on strike for equal pay and no more violence.  Retrieve October 26,  2023 from https://apnews.com/article/iceland-women-strike-equal-pay-970669466116a2b1a5673a8737089d46