Europe | Iceland | Career

International Women’s Day 2017: Iceland becomes first country in the world to make firms prove equal pay

On International Women's Day, Iceland became the first country in the world to force companies to prove they pay all employees the same regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality or nationality, The country's government announced a new law that will require every company with 25 or more staff to gain a certificate demonstrating pay equality. Iceland is not the first country to introduce a scheme like this - Switzerland has one, as does the US state of Minnesota - but Iceland is thought to be the first to make it a mandatory requirement.

| Iceland | Politics

Iceland election: Birgitta Jonsdottir, head of the Pirate Party, asked to try to form government

Source: BBC

Iceland's anti-establishment Pirate Party has been asked by the president to try to form a new government, following October's snap elections. President Gudni Johannesson made the announcement after talks with Pirates head Birgitta Jonsdottir. The Pirates, who vowed radical reforms, came third in the elections in which no party won an outright majority. Two earlier rounds of coalition talks involving first the Independence Party and then the Left-Greens failed. "Earlier today, I met the leaders of all parties and asked their opinion on who should lead those talks. After that I summon

Europe | Iceland | Activism

Iceland celebrates Women’s Rights Day today!

Source: Iceland Monitor

19 June is Women’s Day in Iceland. The date marks the day 101 years ago when Icelandic women were first given the right to vote. Iceland took its first step into real suffrage for women on 19 June 1915, when women aged forty and over were given the right to vote in general elections and stand for public office for the first time. Ever since then, 19 June has been known as ‘Women’s Rights Day’ in Iceland. Many women will be wearing something pink today to mark the occasion.

Europe | Iceland | Activism

Iceland women tackle rape and ‘pornification’

Source: Aljazeera

Women in Iceland walked the streets of Reykjavik on Saturday, June 25 during the annual Slut Walk to demand an end to attitudes that condone sexual violence and demand a judicial system that effectively deals with such crimes in the largest ever such gathering in the country. Women's issues have come to the forefront in Iceland this year as the country celebrates 100 years of women's suffrage . On June 19, Icelanders flocked to the centre of Reykjavik and other town centres for events linked to the centenary of women winning the right to vote. Outside the parliament building, a statue

Europe | Iceland | Activism

Iceland Celebrates 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage

Source: Iceland Review

A century ago today women in Iceland were officially granted the right to vote in elections—among the first few countries in the world to grant the right that today seems immutable. The anniversary marks the day the King of Denmark and Iceland approved the bill passed by Alþingi. Though a big step towards voting equality, it only gave the vote to 12,000 women aged 40 or over. Parliament will hold a ceremonial meeting today to mark the day; and all male and female MPs will be invited—despite a proposal made recently to make it a women-only parliament. Today is the high-point of a

Europe | Iceland | History

First female president in 1980, 35 year festival

Source: CNN

This evening, there was a celebration on that it is 35 years (1980) since the first female President was democratically here in Iceland. And she was the first demratically elected President in the world. Her name is Vigdis Finbbogadottir, and is now, this year, 85 years old. There was a celebration in downtown Reykjavik, people made speeches and music was played in her honour.