Women around the world have struggled for as long as we remember; fighting for their rights, fighting for equal pay and even being assaulted for their gender. In Iceland, women have been fighting since Friday, October 24, 1975 for their rights.
Women in Iceland have an annual holiday called “Women’s Off Day” or “Kvennafrí”, where they go on strike in the name of gender equality and equal pay. October 24, 2023 marked the 7th strike for women in Iceland. These women were joined by their female prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, proving the importance of this event. It’s important that the community surrounding these women understand the value of these strikes, and why they’re happening so often around the world. During this strike, these women refused to work and protested on the streets of Iceland.
Women’s rights are a huge subject around the world. With misogyny, unequal pay and gender-based violence; these events are needed. The Cougar Claw reached out to Ms. Campbell; a women’s rights advocate, at Kearns High for more insight on other beliefs about women’s equality. Campbell gave her insight on how long she believes these strikes will need to happen, and the importance of them. “I think forever, I think as long as social structures stay how they are and have been, especially western and western influenced countries, it’s going to have to keep happening. Societies with male domination are violent to women. As long as societies are centered around that, women are going to be striking.”
Women’s Off Day or Kvennafri is an important holiday to show the struggles and discrimination women still face today in Iceland and all around the world. This year’s strike was one of the largest walkouts in almost 50 years. These women will continue to protest until their goal of gender equality is met, and the struggles that women have dealt with for years are resolved.
