This fall has seen a number of mass mobilizations of women demonstrating for greater equality. Walkouts have occurred in Poland and Argentina. While tied to a proposed total abortion ban and violence against women respectively, both were generally opposed to the marginalization of women along with other social justice issues. Leveraging their collective voices – as well as their economic import – participants in both movements generated international headlines as well as positive initial responses from authorities.
In yet another sign of a growing global movement, a new feminist walkout is making waves – this time in Iceland.
Constantly ranked high in human rights and equality indexes, Iceland nonetheless has a 14 percent gender wage gap. This problem – which effects virtually all developed nations – is fundamentally connected to a lower value placed on women’s labor.
On Monday, women in Iceland staged a walkout. If they receive 14 percent lower wages, then they would work 14 percent less of the day. Thus, at 2:38 PM, thousands of women flooded the streets, departing their workplaces and shouting “out.”
Women in Iceland come together to fight for equality, shouting OUT #kvennafrí #womensrights pic.twitter.com/vTPFwfSoVk
— Salka Sól Eyfeld (@salkadelasol) October 24, 2016
Which country will see the next mass feminist demonstration calling for gender parity? At this rate, it could be a matter of days until we find out.