Today is the 30th anniversary of the first “Woman’s Day Off” in Iceland. 30 years ago, on October 24, 1975, 25 thousand Icelandic women walked out of their workplaces, to take the day off. The economy ground to a halt, and the event made headlines worldwide.
The goal of this year’s Woman’s Day is the same as it was 30 years ago, to show the value of the contribution women make to the Icelandic economy. Women are encouraged to stop working at 2:08 p.m. today. On average, Icelandic women earn 64.15% of what men earn, therefore at 2:08 pm they will have worked 64.15% of a normal 9-5 working day.
Many companies, including banks and day care centers, have announced that they will close at 2 p.m. today.
At 3 p.m. a march under the slogan “Women, let’s be loud” will begin at Skólavörðuholt in Reykjavík, close to Hallgríms Church. Women are encouraged to bring kitchen utensils to the march, including pots and iron spoons, to make noise. The idea behind the march is that women have been quiet long enough, and it’s now time for them to make some noise – “demand equality now”. The march will end with a public meeting in the old city center at Ingólfstorg.
