Strength in Numbers: Women in Iceland Strike for Equal Pay and Against Gender-Based Violence

On October 24, 2023, thousands of the Icelandic population, including women and non-binary individuals, showed up to oppose gender-based violence and the gender wage gap.

This event was one of the largest strikes since 1975, when approximately 90% of women displayed their opposition against discrimination in the workplace by ceasing to clean, work, or complete any domestic tasks (CBC, 2023, para. 6). Similarly, this strike was organized by the trade unions, and women were not only encouraged to stay home but to not complete any paid or unpaid domestic chores or household tasks. Even the prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, was involved in the strike.

Fighting Against the Notion of an “Equality Paradise”

A strike organizer, Freyja Steingrímsdóttir, expressed her dismay that people still view Iceland as an “equality paradise” (Bryant, 2023, para. 7) when women are still fighting for basic rights.

This strike may come as a surprise to the world, as the World Economic Forum has placed Iceland at the top of its countries for gender equality for the last 14 years (Bryant, 2023, para.5). However, for certain jobs, women earn 21% less than men, and over 40% of women have reported sexual or gender-based violence (Bryant, 2023, para.5). Organizing strikes in this capacity can be challenging, as women often have to think about how their decision to strike will impact others, such as who will watch their children, clean living spaces, prepare meals, and perform other domestic labour, instead of focusing on how it can advance their rights. This is because women are still carrying the majority of domestic responsibilities on their shoulders, despite progress in eradicating gender-based oppression. In response to this, Steingrímsdóttir said, “For one day it’s not our problem, so let’s not try to make it easier for them” (Bryant, 2023, para. 11).

Why Are Mobilization Efforts Important?

There is a false notion that once women gain rights,

these rights are there to stay. Although the consistent

progression of women’s rights is ideal, various structural

factors and pressures from things such as political parties,

media, and communities have a strong impact on women’s

autonomy and rights, leading to setbacks.

Due to women’s gains not being static, the mobilization of women is an important strategy for working for change and showing our vision for progress.

When women face obstacles to formal spaces, mass mobilization is a way to make our voices heard. Let this strike be a reminder that the advancement of women’s rights is an ongoing struggle and that women still have to show up every day, both in formal and informal spaces, to remind the world that our representation matters.

Sources

Bryant, Miranda. “Iceland’s First Full-Day Women’s Strike in 48 Years Aims to Close Pay Gap.” The Guardian, October 23, 2023.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/23/icelands-first-full-day-womens-strike-in -48-years-aims-to-close-pay-gap.

CBC. “Icelandic Women — Including PM — Stage 24-Hour Strike for Pay Equity, End to Violence,” October 24, 2023.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iceland-women-strike-pay-violence-1.7005957.