Is equality paradise still far from equal? Iceland PM joins women demanding end to gender pay gap

In a powerful demonstration, Icelandic women, residing in what's hailed as the world's most gender-equal country, embarked on a one-day strike on October 24. Led by trade unions, the strike aimed to protest gender discrimination and was notably supported by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdóttir.

The impact reverberated across public transport, hospitals, and hotels, illustrating the scope of the strike and all-male news teams announced widespread shutdown. Trade unions, organising the strike, called on women and nonbinary individuals to reject both paid and unpaid work, garnering substantial support from the nation's 90% union-affiliated workforce.

Despite being recognised as a gender-equal paradise for 14 consecutive years, Iceland grapples with persistent issues. The strike aims to draw attention to the lingering gender pay gap and prevalent gender-based violence. In certain professions, Icelandic women still earn 21% less than men, and over 40% have experienced gender-based or sexual violence, highlighting the need for continued activism.

Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdóttir stood in solidarity with the striking women, refusing to work on the designated day. The PM's participation raised questions about the government's role in addressing gender disparities. The strike organisers emphasised the collective fight against patriarchy, extending the call to non-binary individuals, making it a holistic protest for equality.

Inspired by 1975: A day of transformation

The strike, titled “Kallarðu þetta jafnrétti?” (You call this equality?), echoes the spirit of a landmark event in 1975. Drawing inspiration from the nation's first women's strike, women refused all types of work, both paid and unpaid. Sectors dominated by women, such as healthcare and education, faced disruptions, emphasising the widespread impact of the protest.

Activists asserted that the persisting gender pay gap and gender-based violence stem from a common mindset that undervalues women. By connecting these issues, the strike seeks to challenge societal norms and initiate a change in mindset. Despite legal measures in 2018, the gender pay gap persists, and the strike focuses on shifting broader perceptions.

Sharing a picture from the 1975 strike, Icelandic President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson lauded the protests, writing, “Women in Iceland are striking today, for the 7th time since the famous #womensdayoff in 1975. Their activism for equality has changed Icelandic society for the better and continues to do so today.”

Women in Iceland are striking today, for the 7th time since the famous #womensdayoff in 1975. Their activism for equality has changed Icelandic society for the better and continues to do so today. #Kvennaverkfall pic.twitter.com/prCZrqP3EJ

— President of Iceland (@PresidentISL) October 24, 2023

While legal measures have been implemented to address the gender pay gap, the strike underscores the need for broader societal change. The focus extends beyond legal requirements to influence societal mindsets, challenging the undervaluation of work in sectors predominantly occupied by women. Migrant women, often at the workforce's bottom rung, face additional disparities, adding urgency to the call for change.

Building on the legacy of the 1975 strike, the full-day action marked a historic moment in Iceland's pursuit of equality. Previous strikes, while impactful, were limited to a few hours. The 1975 strike, leading to Iceland passing a law granting equal rights in 1976, serves as a testament to the transformative power of collective action.

Today we repeat the event of the first full day women’s strike since 1975, marking the day when 90% of Icelandic women took the day off from both work and domestic duties, leading to pivotal change including the world’s first female elected president of a country #kvennaverkfall pic.twitter.com/hBnSPSfahG

— MFA Iceland 🇮🇸 (@MFAIceland) October 24, 2023

Iceland's 1975 strike continues to inspire similar protests worldwide. From Poland's abortion ban protest to Spain's International Women’s Day strike in 2018, Iceland's legacy of collective action resonates globally. The influence of the 1975 strike echoes in the words of Spain's equality minister, Irene Montero, expressing full support for Iceland's latest protest.