Iceland's Prime Minister and Women Nationwide Strike Over Gender Inequality and Pay Gap

Women nationwide join the historic all-day strike led by Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and her female cabinet ministers, addressing persistent issues such as a 21% gender pay gap and prevalence of gender-based violence despite Iceland's global reputation for gender equality.

Tens of thousands of women across Iceland, including Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, went on strike on 24th October 2023 to protest unequal pay and gender-based violence. This was the seventh women's strike in the country and the largest since 1975.
The strike aimed to tackle the 21% gender wage gap and prevalence of gender-based violence, despite Iceland's prominent international ranking for gender equality. An estimated 40% of Icelandic women experience gender-based or sexual violence in their lifetime.
Women were encouraged to stop all paid and unpaid work for the day, including household chores and childcare. The Prime Minister joined the strike and expected other female cabinet members to do the same. Schools and healthcare services were heavily affected.
The movement also highlighted the issue of 'third shift' or unseen organisational work and emotional labour, which is predominantly performed by women. This includes tasks like checking children's homework, caring for elderly parents, and managing household chores.
Iceland, considered one of the world's most progressive countries in terms of gender equality, is the only country to have closed over 90% of its gender gap according to the World Economic Forum. Yet, despite settings laws enforce equal pay in 2018, well-paid public-service jobs remain heavily female-gendered.