Woman laws at Iceland
Iceland is globally recognized for its progressive stance on gender equality, consistently ranking at the top of the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index. The country has implemented a comprehensive legal framework to promote women's rights and address gender disparities across various sectors.
🏛️ Key Legislation and Policies
1. Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights Irrespective of Gender (No. 150/2020): This foundational law mandates that all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities in all spheres of society It emphasizes Eliminating gender-based discrimination Ensuring equal pay for equal work Promoting gender-neutral job classifications -Combating gender-based violence and harassment Encouraging gender equality in decision-making processes -Supporting individuals whose gender is registered as neutral in national records
2. Equal Pay Certification Law (2017): Employers with 25 or more employees must obtain certification proving they provide equal pay for equal work This certification, based on the Equal Pay Standard, requires companies to undergo audits and face fines if non-compliant
3. Act on Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave (No. 144/2020): This law grants each parent an independent entitlement to parental leave for up to six months, with provisions allowing up to six weeks to be transferred between parents the aim is to promote equal sharing of child-rearing responsibilities
4. Gender Quotas for Company Boards: Public and private companies with over 50 employees are required to have at least 40% representation of each gender on their boards This measure aims to increase women's participation in leadership roles
5. Act on Gender Autonomy (No. 80/2019): This legislation allows individuals to legally change their gender without undergoing medical procedures, affirming the rights of transgender and non-binary individuals
📊 Societal Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Despite these advancements, Iceland continues to address challenges such a:A persistent gender pay gap, particularly among older and immigrant wome.Underrepresentation of women in certain sectors, like technolog. Gender-based violence and harassment, necessitating ongoing public awareness and legal measure. In response, Iceland has seen significant public demonstrations, such as the nationwide strike on October 24, 2023, where over 100,000 women and non-binary individuals participated to protest unequal pay and gender-based violenc. This event underscored the continued need for societal and institutional change.
🏛️ Institutional Oversight
The Directorate of Equality, under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, oversees the implementation of gender equality las It collaborates with various bodies, including the Equal Rights Complaints Committee and the Gender Equality Fund, to monitor compliance and support initiatives promoting equaliy.
--
Iceland's legal framework serves as a model for gender equality, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive legislation, institutional support, and active public engagement in achieving progress.
RELATED Blog
0 comments