Iceland PM Katrin Jakobsdottir unites with women in equal pay strike
PTC Web Desk: Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir will participate in a strike against the gender pay gap and gender-based violence, along with thousands of other women. This marks the seventh occurrence of Icelandic women striking for gender equality, as reported by CNN via campaign organisers' official website. The initial strike took place on October 24, 1975.
On October 24, all women in Iceland, including immigrant women, are encouraged to refrain from both paid and unpaid work. Throughout the entire day, women and non-binary individuals will strike to emphasise the significance of their contributions to society, the organisers stated.
Known as the "Women's Day Off" or "Kvennafrí" in Icelandic, this strike aims to raise awareness about the systemic wage discrimination and gender-based violence that women in Iceland continue to face.
Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir confirmed that she will not work on the strike day and expects other female members of the government to do the same in solidarity with Icelandic women.
She noted that despite Iceland being ranked as the best country in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for 14 consecutive years, there is still progress to be made in achieving full gender equality. The gender-based wage gap and gender-based violence remain critical issues that need to be addressed in 2023.
Notably, around 80% of workers at the National University Hospital of Iceland are women, and women make up the majority of teachers at all levels of the educational system.
The 1975 strike, which saw approximately 90% of Iceland's female workforce participating, played a pivotal role in the subsequent passing of an equal pay law by the country's parliament the following year.
- With inputs from agencies
