40 years since the first laws on equality

"Mr President. Today marks 40 years since the first laws on equality in Iceland were passed. Although provisions related to equal pay for women and men were previously included as part of other laws, public employees were the first profession to receive legally protected equal pay in 1954. It is rather sad to think about how long it has been since the legislation on equal pay and that we still have not made more progress on the issue.

Icelandic women have been very unified when it comes to advancing equality issues. But now the goal is set higher, and it is important for the genders to come together to work on equality issues, matters that concern both parties, and for most to participate in the HeForShe campaign supported by UN Women in Iceland and partners around the world.

Mr President. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all men to participate. It is not only an economic issue for the genders to stand equally but also a social one. It also relates to men having the opportunity to engage in everything they care about without pre-defined gender roles. Nothing is socially accepted unless we allow it. Let us not let another 40 years pass before we achieve the success we are aiming for."

Jóhanna María Sigmundsdóttir in parliamentary work on 18.05.2016.