"This shows how strong we are together"
Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, formaður BSRB, segir kvennafrídaginn hafa gengið eins og í sögu. Samsett mynd/aðsend/Eggert Jóhannesson
Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, chair of the BSRB, says that the women’s strike and the women’s day off have gone on like they did in history.
“I think it’s quite safe to say that this exceeded our expectations, which were the most optimistic when it came to the planning,” Þorbergsdóttir told mbl.is.
“We’d been feeling a lot of excitement for this demonstration and that there is a growing impatience – there is a need to put equal rights at the heart of things. When 70-100 thousand people gather at Arnarhóll and around the country, you’re kind of speechless. This shows how strong we are together.”
No “equal” paradise
Þorbergsdóttir says that when the decision to call a women’s strike was taken by the organization behind the strike, it was decided to do it like in 1975 to show that women and genderqueers have had enough of the situation.
She says that discussion has been prominent in recent times, indicating that equality has already been achieved in Iceland because of its good international standing.
“This idea of an equal opportunity paradigm is, in our opinion, an antidote to all the work that needs to be done to ensure equality.”
Shows that change is needed
“I think that’s why people are participating because most of them feel that there aren’t any progressive or radical measures being taken. That’s the demand right now, of course.
When so many people come together and show in such a clear and tangible way that this needs to change, then society will change,” Þorbergsdóttir says.
The resolution of the meeting was made with demands from those behind the women’s strike. Sonja says that the demand now is that politicians and others who have power in society listen to those demands and make them into visions and follow them in their daily work.
Conclusion of the whole meeting:
Women’s strike on 24 October 2023!
- We demand correction of the undervaluation of the so-called "women's" work!
- That employers stop discounting their wages to women and women's rights!
- We demand specific measures to correct the conditions of the poorest women and men, because no one should have to live in poverty!
- We demand that wage inequality and discrimination be eliminated!
- That women and men can survive on their wages and have the opportunity to develop in their work to the same level as men!
- That disabled women and men have the opportunity to work to improve their conditions!
- That the education and skills of women of foreign origin are valued!
- That women and men no longer be punished financially for the unpaid caretaking they take over their lifetime and pay for when they reach their pension age.
- That social efforts be made to eliminate prejudice against people with disabilities, queer people, people of foreign origin and other marginalised groups.
- We demand that men take responsibility in the same way as women and genderqueers!
- Take responsibility for unpaid homework and for the care of family members!
- Take responsibility for the unpaid third shift!
- We demand that women and genderqueers are not put in the financial squeeze of abusers!
- That women and genderqueers get support to build up financial independence after surviving gender-based financial violence!
- We demand justice and compensation for victims of sexual and gender-based violence!
- That the perpetrators of violence are held accountable and that sexual freedom is respected!
- That women and men enjoy safety and freedom from violence and harassment at work, at home and in public spaces!
- That gender-based and sexual-based violence be eliminated!
- We demand that the politics make our demands a priority!
- Immediately!
- We demand action and change!
- NOW!
