Women of foreign origins have longer and more irregular workdays than other women in Iceland. Their salary is also lower and their job security more fickle. Lower salaries make it harder for women and non-binary people to get out of abusive relationships as they’re more likely to be financially dependent on their abuser. At least 40% of women experience gender-based or sexual violence in their lifetime. Non-binary people do not feel safe in the labour market and are afraid of showing their authentic true selves due to discrimination. Women‘s income is 21% lower than men’s income. Disabled women experience more violence than other women. 58% of teenage girls have experienced online sexual harrassment. Women working in sanitation and service to children, disabled people and elderly people are some of the worst paid members of the workforce in Iceland.

YOU CALL THIS EQUALITY?

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24 OCTOBER 2023

Women have been striking for equality since 1975. This will be the seventh such strike.

A TOTAL STRIKE

This time we’ll strike the whole day, unlike last time. This includes striking at home; not taking on the unpaid labour we’re expected to take upon ourselves, such as childcare, housework and the emotional labour of delegating tasks for the household.

OUR DEMANDS

That gender-based violence will be eliminated and that the contribution of women and non-binary people will be acknowledged and rewarded.

AND THEN WE GATHER!

Women and non-binary people will gather in many places around the country. The biggest gathering will be downtown Reykjavík, at Arnarhóll at 14:00.

WHO’S BEHIND THIS

A lot of organisations contribute to the preparation of the demonstration, but the event is owned by us all. The following organisations are behind the Women’s Strike 2023:

Aflið // an association for abuse survivors ASÍ // Icelandic Confederation of Labour Bandalag kvenna í Reykjavík // The Federation of Women’s Societies in Reykjavík BHM // federation of university graduates BSRB // federation of public worker unions Druslugangan // The Slut Walk Druslubækur og Doðrantar // women’s literary blog Delta Kappa Gamma // organisation of women educators Feminísk fjármál // feminist budgeting Femínistafélag HÍ // University of Iceland’s feminist association Félag íslenskra hjúkrunarfræðinga // The Icelandic Nurses’ Association Félag kynjafræðikennara // association of gender studies teachers Félag um Fjöruverðlaunin // association for the women’s literature award in Iceland Hagsmunasamtök knattspyrnukvenna // organisation of women in football IceFemin // Icelandic Feminist Initiative Kennarasamband Íslands // Icelandic Teachers’ Union Knúz.is // Feminist Webzine Kvenfélagasamband Íslands // Icelandic association of women’s associations Kvennahreyfingin ÖBÍ // women’s movement of the Icelandic Disability Alliance Kvennaráðgjöfin // The Women’s Counselling Kvennasögusafn Íslands // The Women’s History Archives Kvenréttindafélag Íslands // Icelandic Women’s Rights Association Líf án ofbeldis // association of mothers and the Rótin // The Root Samtök um kvennaathvarf // Women’s Shelter SSF // The Confederation of Icelandic Bank and Finance Employees Samtökin ’78 // The National Queer Organisation of Iceland Soroptimistasamband Íslands // Icelandic Soroptimist Federation Stígamót // center for survivors of sexual violence UN Women Iceland Ungar athafnakonur // Young Professional Women in Iceland WIFT // Women in Films and Television W.O.M.E.N. in Iceland // Women of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland Q - Queer Student Association Zonta Iceland Öfgar // a nonprofit organisation against gender based violence

NO LABOUR OF ANY KIND

On 24 October, all women in Iceland, including immigrant women, are encouraged to stop work, both paid and unpaid. For the whole day, women (and non-binary people) will strike, to demonstrate the importance of their contribution to society. Women will not go to work on this day. For this one day, we expect husbands, fathers, brothers and uncles to take on the responsibilities related to family and home, for example: preparing breakfast and lunch box, remembering birthdays of relatives, buying a present for your mother-in-law, making a dentist appointment for your child, etc.

A VITAL PART OF THE WORKFORCE

Immigrant women make up around 22% of women in the Icelandic labour market. Their contribution to Icelandic society is invaluable but sadly, their importance is rarely acknowledged or reflected in the wages they receive. We encourage women and non-binary people to stop both paid unpaid work on that day, and to attend a demonstration meeting. If you are not able to attend a meeting, you can show your solidarity under the hashtag #kvennaverkfall

CAN I REALLY PARTICIPATE?

Historically speaking, employers have not obstructed their employees from participating in the women’s strike. If you have questions or worries about your rights, or are unsure how this works, please take a look at our Frequently asked questions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS