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On October 24, 1975, Icelandic women staged a massive action to fight for justice and equality in the country.
With a massive 90 percent turnout, women walked out of formal and domestic jobs to protest against unfair employment practices and a 60 percent gender pay gap. The event came alongside a massive media campaign to expose gender-based discrimination in the workplace and lower wages for women.
To spark participation, organizers called the action a “day off” and the impact was widely felt, particularly in areas such as education and fish processing. Throughout the country, including in rural areas, women staged rallies, with debates centered on gender equality and the steps to achieve it.
The strike, which became colloquially known as “Long Friday,” forced Icelandic politicians to take notice, and parliament approved a law guaranteeing equal rights for men and women in 1976. The “Day Off” also paved the way for the election of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the world’s first democratically elected female president.
Over the years, Icelandic women have staged symbolic walkouts on October 24 to commemorate the events from 1975 as well as highlight the still-existing gender inequality. A second all-day women’s strike took place in 2023 with a reported 100,000 women participating, leading to an agenda to establish gender equality by 2030.
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Text: Ricardo Vaz. Illustration: Kalia León.
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