In a dramatic display of solidarity, women across Iceland are downing tools and walking out of workplaces, homes, and classrooms today in a massive 24-hour strike. This powerful protest marks the 50th anniversary of the seminal 1975 women's strike that fundamentally reshaped Icelandic society.
A Nation Brought to a Standstill
From boardrooms to fishing boats, schools to hospitals, female workers are participating in what organisers are calling a "full-day work stoppage" to highlight the persistent gender inequalities that remain despite decades of progress. The strike has received overwhelming support from unions, businesses, and political leaders across the spectrum.
Echoes of 1975: The Day That Changed Everything
The original protest on October 24, 1975, saw an astonishing 90% of Icelandic women refuse to work, cook, or care for children for a single day. The event, known as "Women's Day Off," paralysed the country and directly led to groundbreaking equality legislation.
The 1975 strike achieved remarkable outcomes:
- The Gender Equality Act was passed the following year
- Iceland elected the world's first female president in 1980
- The country has topped global gender equality rankings for over a decade
Why Women Are Still Fighting
Despite Iceland's reputation as a gender equality leader, significant disparities persist. Women continue to face:
- A stubborn gender pay gap of approximately 10%
- Underrepresentation in corporate leadership positions
- Disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic work and caregiving
- High rates of gender-based violence
National Impact and Support
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir has thrown her support behind the strike, announcing she will not work today and joining protestors. Many businesses have announced closures or reduced operations, while schools and nurseries are operating with limited capacity.
The strike organisers emphasise that this isn't just about workplace equality but about recognising all forms of women's labour - paid and unpaid. Their message resonates across generations, with grandmothers who participated in the 1975 strike marching alongside their daughters and granddaughters.
As one organiser stated, "We've come so far, but the journey to true equality continues. Today we show our collective power once again."
