"We have not yet reached our goals of full gender equality and we are still tackling the gender-based wage gap, which is unacceptable in 2023," Jakobsdóttir told a local news outlet ahead of the protest. “I will not work this day, as I expect all the women [in cabinet] will do as well.”
The strike is a nod to Oct. 24, 1975, when 90% of women in Iceland took a day off from work and domestic duties. The national strike ultimately led to historic changes that advanced gender parity, including prompting parliament to pass an equal pay law the following year.
In 1980, Iceland also became the first country in the world to elect a female as head of state.
Those protesting TODAY, say that Iceland, despite ranking first in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for the last 14 years, has consistently undervalued and underpaid women in traditionally female-dominated jobs like cleaning, childcare, and caregiving.
"Systemic wage discrimination still affects women, and gender-based violence is a pandemic that must be eradicated."
CALLING ALL GOOD MEN TO STAND UP AND PROTECT WOMEN FROM HATE
