Iceland Marks 50 Years Since Historic Women's Day Off with Nationwide Strike

Nationwide Strike Commemorates Historic 1975 'Women's Day Off'

On October 24, 2025, women and non-binary people across Iceland are participating in a nationwide strike, marking the 50th anniversary of the pivotal 1975 Women's Day Off. This collective action, known locally as Kvennafrídagurinn or Kvennaverkfall, calls for participants to cease both paid and unpaid work for the entire day, drawing attention to ongoing disparities in gender equality.

The event is a central part of 'Women's Year 2025' (Kvennaár 2025), an initiative by a broad coalition of feminist, women's, workers', disabled, and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Organizers emphasize that despite Iceland's reputation as a global leader in gender equality, significant challenges remain, including a persistent gender pay gap and high rates of gender-based violence.

Echoes of 1975: A Legacy of Collective Action

The original Women's Day Off on October 24, 1975, saw an extraordinary 90% of Icelandic women refuse to work, both in their paid jobs and at home. This unprecedented protest aimed to 'demonstrate the indispensable work of women for Iceland's economy and society' and to 'protest wage discrepancy and unfair employment practices'. The impact was immediate and widespread, leading to the closure of schools, shops, and factories across the country.

Approximately 25,000 women gathered in Reykjavík for a rally, a significant number given the country's population at the time. The event, initially termed a 'day off' to circumvent strict labor laws against strikes, proved to be a watershed moment. It is widely credited with paving the way for the passing of an equal rights law in 1976 and, five years later, the election of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir as the world's first democratically elected female president.

Demands for 2025: Addressing Persistent Inequalities

Fifty years later, the demands of the 2025 strike largely mirror those of its predecessor, focusing on critical areas where organizers believe progress has stalled. These include:

• Ending gender-based violence
• Correcting the undervaluation of women's work and closing the gender pay gap
• Bridging the care gap between parental leave and preschool
• Addressing the unequal division of labor in the home
• Combating the growing backlash against gender equality and hostility towards women, LGBTQ+ people, and foreigners

Organizers point out that despite Iceland consistently ranking high in global gender equality indices, the adjusted gender pay gap remains around 3.6%, and over 40% of women have experienced gender-based or sexual violence in their lifetime. The 2023 women's strike, which saw an estimated 100,000 participants, served as a powerful precursor, with organizers giving the government until October 24, 2025, to implement specific demands for legislative changes and action plans.

Events and Participation

Today's events include a historical walk tracing milestones in the women's struggle, culminating in a major outdoor meeting at Arnarhóll in Reykjavík. Many workplaces have announced their support, with some allowing staff to participate without pay deductions. The widespread participation underscores the continued determination of Icelandic women and non-binary people to achieve full and final gender equality.