19th June – "better if enough should suffice"

It is appropriate to look back on this day. In 1911, the Parliament of Iceland passed a bill with a large majority for complete gender equality in education, scholarships and positions. On 19 June 1915, the king confirmed the constitution with women's rights, which they have since held. This should be celebrated and remembered, even over 100 years later. Today, Eygló Harðardóttir, the Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, will present grants from the Icelandic Gender Equality Fund, which was established in 2015, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Iceland.

Iceland is indeed at the forefront in the field of gender equality in international comparison, but better is always needed. Recently, a picture appeared of the National Economic Council of Iceland, which includes the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, and representatives of the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, the Association of Icelandic Municipalities, and the Central Bank of Iceland. Admittedly, it can be complicated to consider gender equality in such a council, but it should not be so complicated if examined more closely. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs are in the council due to their positions, but it is stated that representatives of the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, the Association of Icelandic Municipalities, and the Central Bank of Iceland are to be members of the council, and indeed it is possible, if there is a will, to ensure gender equality, as the boards of these associations and institutions are composed of both men and women. Having said this, we can look to the societal reactions to the council's composition and safely conclude that we have made progress; people noticed this skewed image and pointed out the obvious, that the National Economic Council should naturally be composed of both women and men.

Whilst we commemorate the day domestically, it's also good to think about women beyond our borders. There are still tasks we need to work on, the watch for equality must always be maintained, and we must use all available means. We need to look to other countries to see how we can be the model we aim to be. We read about women on the run, women who are pregnant and dream of giving birth to their children into a fair world, but it is estimated that 12% of women travelling across the Mediterranean are pregnant. Many are breastfeeding or travelling with infants. There has been a massive increase in maternal mortality among refugee women in recent years. They risk their lives to have their children in peaceful circumstances and are among those seeking refuge in Europe. They often travel on foot at night in remote regions away from the police, on unlit paths and unpaved roads, staying on run-down trains at night, with no shelter to turn to, and live in constant insecurity.

Many women thus give birth while on the run and in refugee camps.

Women like us.

Heartfelt congratulations on the day – let us continue to be the role models our foremothers were for us all.

Anna Kolbrún Árnadóttir, Chairwoman of the National Association of Framsókn Women.