Calendar of International Events
October 24-25,
The program is devoted to women‘s campaign against violence and sexual abuse. On Sunday, October 24, there will be an international conference and side events. On Monday, October 25, there will be a protest march and an outdoor meeting in downtown Reykjavik.
Men‘s violence against women and children is one of the most serious social ailments around the world. This egregious problem takes many shapes and forms, but in Iceland it is apparent in the fact that while approximately 300 women suffer serious sexual violence, the total number of verdicts passed in district and Supreme Court per year barely reach ten.
Much has been gained in the past twenty years, but the victims of sexual violence still meet deep-seated prejudice.
Sexual violence stems from the same root as other discrimination women face, for example in the labor market, where it appears in the gender pay gap and limited options for advancement. Indications are that the success of the fight for gender equality in one field depends on the successes reached in other fields.
The events for the Women’s Day Off 2010 are still being planned. The full calendar will be published here when it is complete.
