Much of Iceland’s day-to-day business shut down this week after this group went on strike… Answered

Much of Iceland’s day-to-day business shut down this week after this group went on strike…

A Women
B Transit workers
C Tour guides

The correct answer is A) Women.

 Iceland’s Prime Minister Joins Thousands of Women in Strike for Gender Equality

In a powerful display of solidarity, Iceland’s Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, stood alongside thousands of women who went on strike on October 24, 2023, demanding greater gender equality in the country. This marked the seventh strike organized by Icelandic women since the historic Women’s Day Off in 1975.

The strike, known as “Kvennafrí” or the “Women’s Day Off” in Icelandic, aimed to raise awareness about the systemic wage discrimination and gender-based violence faced by women in Iceland. Schools, libraries, and some businesses showed support by closing their doors for the day. Even the Icelandic public service broadcaster, RÚV, experienced reduced coverage as their female journalists participated in the strike.

Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, witnessed a massive gathering of women on Arnarhóll, a hill near the city center, demonstrating their determination for equality. Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, along with her female staff, suspended official duties to show solidarity with the striking women.

During an interview, Prime Minister Jakobsdóttir emphasized the slow progress in achieving gender equality, stating that it could take up to 300 years at the current pace. She reaffirmed her government’s commitment to addressing the gender pay gap and gender-based violence, both of which remain significant challenges in 2023.

The strike received support from various government departments and organizations, including the Federation of the Public Workers Union in Iceland (BSRB), the Icelandic Nurses’ Association, and the Icelandic Association of Women’s Associations.

Iceland has consistently been recognized as a global leader in gender equality, ranking as the best nation in this regard for 14 consecutive years by the World Economic Forum. However, strike organizers also sought to shed light on the often overlooked contributions of immigrant women, whose wages do not reflect their invaluable impact on Icelandic society.

Prime Minister Jakobsdóttir’s government has previously committed to eliminating the gender pay gap by 2022, demonstrating their dedication to achieving true equality in Iceland.

The women’s strike in Iceland serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and the need for continued collective action to bring about meaningful change.

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