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Today in History: Icelandic women strike against wage inequality

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 10:33 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On 24 October 1975, 90 % of Icelandic women staged a nationwide strike, refusing paid work, housework and childcare to highlight their essential role and protest wage gaps and discriminatory employment. Organized by women’s groups, the “Women’s Day Off” prompted the 1976 parliament to enact equal-rights legislation.

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Story summary

On 24 October 1975, 90 % of Icelandic women staged a nationwide strike, refusing paid work, housework and childcare to highlight their essential role and protest wage gaps and discriminatory employment. Organized by women’s groups, the “Women’s Day Off” prompted the 1976 parliament to enact equal-rights legislation.