The Strength of a Strike

-

It is 2023, and women are still striking for basic equality. Yes, even in Iceland, which is supposed to be one of the world's most “equal” countries. To me this comes as quite a bit of a surprise because Iceland is supposedly one of the top countries for gender equality. To know that there are still major issues like a pay gap, high rates of gender-based violence, and that unspoken rule that women should take care of most of the housework and childcare affecting the everyday lives of the people in Iceland is concerning. Coming from an outsider living in the United States, Iceland seems like a great place to live. However, it's clear that gender bias clearly knows no borders.

This article mentions the strike that took place when a large number of women and nonbinary people who live in Iceland went on strike for a day to protest gender inequality. It was almost like a blackout, so many people were involved. The strike was supported by unions, activists, and even the Prime Minister, who said she wouldn’t hold a cabinet meeting and expected other women in government to join in.

 The article doesn’t mention an immediate resolution to the wage gap or any of the other gender equality issues following the strike. But none the less, It’s inspiring to see people come together to demand more, and it makes me hopeful too. 

Reading this made me think about how, at the end of the day, we are all human, and we all deserve to be treated equally. It is extremely exhausting that even now, women have to keep pushing to get the same respect and rights. It’s not just about equal pay it’s also about feeling like we matter and that we are valued not just as women but as humans. Women shouldn’t have to prove they’re equal, it should just be a given.

This strike is a reminder that change doesn’t just happen because a law or policy says it should. Real change comes from people who aren’t willing to settle for any less than what is deserved. I find it inspiring to see so many people come together to demand for more, I believe this just may be the start of something revolutionary. 

Again here is the article if you are interested in reading it!

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2881078296?accountid=14407&sourcetype=Newspapers

Comments

  1. That one bloggerNovember 20, 2024 at 8:09 PM

    Women have always from themselves on the wrong side of inequality more often than none. Women are still being paid less than men, even if it is by a couple of cents. It's weird that women no matter what part of the world they are from, have to fight for some type of respect on a daily basis. The treatment cannot be equal if everyone isn't getting the same treatment. I'm glad that the women took a strike instead of being pushed under the rug and continue to let themselves be walked over.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ms. ANovember 20, 2024 at 9:41 PM

    I applaud their bravery and ability to start conversations across the world. I think it's really cool that so many people were on board for this demonstration. It's kind of strange that there hasn't been much follow up in the year since.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Green Deals

-
The U.S. and China have always had some sort of rivalry. We often compare their populations, technological advancements, and economies. But one thing that keeps coming to mind is that we really need to start thinking about the environment when comparing the two nations. It’s not just about who has the coolest tech or the biggest economy; it’s about the kind of planet we’re leaving for the future. For me, that means putting environmental responsibility front and center in our trade deals and international relations. With climate change knocking at our door, we can’t just chase after profits we’ve got to make sure environmental standards are part of every trade talk. For example, sorting out agreements on critical minerals for clean energy can not only boost our economy but it also helps us shift to greener energy sources., which in reality is a total win-win. One idea that really stuck with me throughout this article  that I read was the suggestion of a "polluter import fee" o...
Read more

Realities of a Refugee

-
While I was reading about what the Rohingya refugees are going through at the Kutupalong camp , all I could feel was saddnes and extreme frustration. It is so hard to have to leave your home because of such terrible violence, only to end up in a refugee camp where things aren't much better. Which unfortunately is a very common reality. However with Kutupalong being the world's biggest refugee camp, you would assume it is supposed to be a safe place. The reality is it's now home to almost a million people stuck in worse conditions with food running low and gang violence all around the camp.    It's really upsetting how the world seems to have forgot these people. Back in 2017, there was lots of sympathy and help, but now, international aid has slowed down a lot, and the Rohingya have to face this tough reality alone. Some of them are even risking deadly boat trips across the sea to places like Aceh, Indonesia, thinking their chances are better on unsafe boats then in t...
Read more