How a Women’s Day Off Helped To Reduce Gender Inequality in Iceland

It was a day like no other. Icelandic women went on strike forty-seven years ago, refusing to work, cook, or watch the kids for a day. A turning point in the nation's perception of women, it propelled Iceland to the forefront of the fight for equality. It was on a  sunny day - 24 October 1975 - when 90% of women in the country decided to demonstrate their importance by going on strike. Women took to the streets in their hundreds to protest for equal rights with men rather than going to work, doing chores around the house, or caring for children. The events of that day served as Iceland's first move toward emancipating women. The nation was paralyzed, and this was an eye-opener for many men. The closure of banks, companies, some stores, schools, and nurseries forced many dads to take their children to work. Amidst the crowd of 25,000 women who had assembled to sing, hear speeches, and discuss what could be done was Vigdis Finnbogadottir, her mother, and her three-year-old daughter who rallied in Reykjavik's Downtown Square. Vigdis won the presidency five years later beating three other men. She gained so much popularity that she won two of the three subsequent elections unopposed. Many other landmarks followed. Vigdis says, "There was a tremendous power in it all and a great feeling of solidarity and strength among all those women standing on the square in the sunshine."