Iceland is set to witness a significant women’s strike on Tuesday, October 24th, with the nation’s Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, among those participating. This massive strike forms part of a broader campaign aimed at promoting gender equality in the country. Katrín Jakobsdóttir made it known that she will not be working on the day of the strike and has encouraged other female members of the government to follow suit as an act of solidarity with Icelandic women. This marks the seventh occurrence of the Icelandic strike known as “Kvennafrí” or “Women’s Day Off,” which serves to raise awareness about issues such as systemic age discrimination and gender-based violence experienced by women in Iceland.
The very first “Kvennafrí” took place 48 years ago on October 24th, 1975, during which approximately 90% of women reportedly abstained from work. The upcoming strike on Tuesday will encompass a full day of action, and organizers anticipate the participation of at least 25,000 people in an event in Reykjavik’s city center, along with numerous others joining 10 events taking place throughout Iceland. One of the central focuses of this year’s Kvennafrí is drawing attention to the challenges faced by immigrant women in Iceland, whose contributions to the nation’s society are often overlooked and undercompensated. The organizers have also called upon men to assume additional responsibilities both at home and in the workplace to demonstrate their support for the women participating in the strike.
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