To change society

Today is the Women's Rights Day celebrated. It has been 104 years since women in Iceland over the age of forty gained the right to vote and to stand for election to the Althing. We Icelanders have managed to be at the forefront of women's rights over time. Those rights have not come easily; women and gender equality advocates among men have had to fight for every step. A similar story can be told of the struggle for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Steps have been taken against traditions and prevailing attitudes.

What we learn from the struggle for women's rights and the rights of LGBTQ+ people is that politicians must have vision, not just cunning, to keep up with the tide of contemporary issues solely to gain enough support in the next elections. History judges, and history judges harshly. Therefore, it is quite astonishing, to say the least, to see established political commentators who claim to have advocated for individual freedom and humanity over time being full of reverence for the main charlatans of modern times, both across the sea and at home. They often say that Icelandic politicians must sense this undercurrent, not to respond to it and prevent the rise of forces that oppose liberalism and humanity, but to join them.

Throughout history, the Progress Party has been at the forefront of liberal forces in Iceland, although many want to downplay the role of the party in significant reform matters. Women have long been prominent in the Progress Party and have held important positions, both in national politics and at the municipal level. The Progress Party initiated paternity leave for fathers and has been at the forefront of the rights struggle for same-sex couples regarding marriage and adoption. This strong liberal nerve is crucial for the party and has proven beneficial to the nation.

I was very pleased that on National Day, among those who received the Falcon Order was Guðrún Ögmundsdóttir, who received the Knight's Cross for her work on humanitarian issues and the rights struggle for LGBTQ+ individuals. Guðrún is one of those who has had a significant impact on society and is a role model for others. I congratulate Icelandic women on this day. History shows us that we can change society. Every step in the right direction is worthwhile. Iceland stands at the forefront of equality matters, but we can do better and must do better.

Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Transport and Local Government and Chairman of the Progress Party. The article was first published on kjarninn.is on June 19, 2019.